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medium risk$2+ billion
James Rupert Murdoch
Former CEO of 21st Century Fox
Media Executive, Murdoch Family Heir
Overview
James Murdoch is the younger son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. He served as CEO of British Sky Broadcasting and later as CEO of 21st Century Fox until the Disney acquisition in 2019. He was deeply implicated in the News of the World phone hacking scandal in the UK, where he approved payments to hacking victims to cover up the scandal. He resigned from News Corp's board in 2020 citing"disagreements over certain editorial content."
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
PHONE HACKING SCANDAL: Approved settlements to hacking victims that helped cover up the extent of the scandal
NEWS OF THE WORLD: Newspaper closed in 2011 amid hacking revelations
UK PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY: Testified to Parliament, criticized for evasiveness
FOX NEWS CONTENT: Eventually broke with family over Fox News editorial direction
ROGER AILES SCANDAL: Oversaw Fox during sexual harassment revelations
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
UK Computer Misuse Act 1990Potential liability for phone hacking under his oversight(Cybercrimes)
Data Protection ActPrivacy violations under corporate leadership(Privacy Crimes)
Known Associates & Connections
Rupert Murdoch
Father, media mogul
Lachlan Murdoch
Brother, Fox Corporation CEO
Rebekah Brooks
News UK CEO, phone hacking scandal
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- December 13, 1972
- Birthplace
- London, United Kingdom
Education
- •Harvard University (dropped out)
Key Timeline
December 13, 1972
Born in London
1996
Founds Rawkus Records hip-hop label
2003
Becomes CEO of BSkyB
2007
Phone hacking settlement approved under his watch
2011
News of the World closed amid scandal
2011
Testifies to UK Parliament on hacking
2015
Becomes CEO of 21st Century Fox
2019
Disney acquisition, steps down
July 2020
Resigns from News Corp board over"editorial content"disagreements