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Freedom of expression is under threat from elites and bureaucrats, Rupert Murdoch warned in his resignation letter yesterday.
The media tycoon claimed he was trying to silence those who disagree with him.
He said that despite stepping down as chairman of Fox Corporation, he would “continue to be engaged every day in the competition of ideas”.
Mr Murdoch’s sharp tone surprised some, given that he was finally stepping back from day-to-day control of his media empire.
The rest of the letter had a more appreciative spirit and included thanking the Fox staff, including “the truck drivers who deliver our papers” and “the cleaners who do the hard work after we leave our office.”
But it appeared to reflect a hostile attitude toward the establishment that had not diminished with increasing age.
In his letter, Mr Murdoch warned that “the fight for freedom of expression and, ultimately, freedom of thought has never been more intense”.
He had previously criticized “terrible woke stereotypes”.
He wrote that his father “strongly believed in independence” and that his son Lachlan was “fully committed to the cause”. Mr Murdoch said: “Self-serving bureaucracies are trying to silence those who question their origins and purpose. The elite have open contempt for those who are not members of the rare class.
“Most of the media is in cahoots with the elite, promoting political narratives rather than pursuing the truth.
“In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be engaged in a competition of ideas every day.”
The tone left Fox insiders “mildly shocked” that Mr Murdoch would go out in such a manner, which the US website The Daily Beast described as “barn burning”. A former Fox News executive said, “The combative tone was a bit of a surprise”.
Mr Murdoch clarified in the letter that he is in “strong health” and will be an “active member” of the News Corp community. He said: “I will watch our broadcasts with a critical eye, read our newspapers and websites and books with great interest, and reach out to you with ideas, suggestions and advice.”
Some observers reacted sharply to Mr Murdoch’s comments. Angelo Carusone of media watchdog Media Matters described his legacy as “one of deception, destruction and death”.
