Today, Explained — “The Making of the Fox News Empire”
Podcast: Today, Explained (Vox)
Episode Date: January 19, 2026
Main Guests: Des Freedman (Goldsmiths, University of London), Graham Murdoch (University of Loughborough), Matthew Ricketson (Deakin University)
Summary by: [Podcast Summarizer]
Episode Overview
This episode explores the career and ongoing legacy of Rupert Murdoch, examining how his rise from “nepo baby” in Australia led to the construction of a global media empire—and how Fox News became the American behemoth shaping political discourse. The hosts and guest experts discuss Murdoch’s unique blend of ruthless ambition, tabloid flair, and political influence, chronicling the global impact on journalism, democracy, and the rightward shift of public debate.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Life & Sources of Power
(04:15–07:00)
- Murdoch is identified as a “Nepo baby”:
“If the term Nepo baby was in existence in 1931, yes, he is a Nepo baby.”
—Des Freedman (05:45) - His father, Keith Murdoch, was a significant figure in Australian journalism, teaching Rupert the power newspapers held in politics.
- Inherited a single Adelaide newspaper, but also a “philosophy” of press influence.
Notable Quote:
“Keith Murdoch realized that newspapers had the power to bring down politicians. So Rupert inherited not just newspapers, but actually a whole kind of philosophy ...”
—Graham Murdoch (08:00)
2. Expansion in the UK: Ruthlessness & Political Influence
(07:10–16:30)
- Early ventures included buying News of the World and revitalizing The Sun with tabloid tactics: salacious headlines and scandal, driving circulation.
- Famously published the fake Hitler Diaries despite warnings—“Fucking publish. Fucking publish.” (13:00)
- Became influential through both “mass” and “elite” publications:
“If you look at Rupert’s career, he’s always had the popular newspaper that could address, you know, the masses, but you also have an elite newspaper. So you’re speaking to the insiders, but you’re also speaking to the mass of the people. That’s what gives him his influence.”
—Des Freedman (15:22) - Struck up a political partnership with Margaret Thatcher, aiding her neoliberal agenda (16:00–17:00).
Memorable Moments:
- Circulation figures soared after tabloidization.
- “Gotcha!” headline during Falklands War (18:25), cementing Murdoch-Thatcher alliance.
3. The Phone Hacking Scandal & Its Impact
(20:20–25:00)
- Murdoch publications in the 2000s, especially The Sun and News of the World, embroiled in phone hacking, including the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler (22:10).
- Public revulsion forced Murdoch to shutter News of the World overnight (23:45).
- He appeared before Parliament, claiming:
“This is the most humble day of my life.” (24:20)
- Yet, right after, “he regained his posture and his poise.”
Key Insight:
The scandal marked a rare moment of vulnerability but did not end Murdoch’s influence.
4. The American Ascent: From New York Post to Fox News
(28:00–42:00)
- Murdoch’s American empire began with buying the San Antonio News, moving quickly to purchase the New York Post (28:15).
- Shifted the Post from Democrat-aligned to Reagan-cheerleading—first U.S. taste of Murdoch-driven political advocacy (29:40).
- Early symbiosis between Murdoch and Donald Trump:
“Trump is one of its [Page Six’s] key sources. You know, they kind of have that symbiotic relationship where they’re constantly pumping him up and he’s constantly feeding them stories because he’s a bit of a gossip magnet himself.”
—Matthew Ricketson (31:20) - Acquired 20th Century Fox, then built the Fox network, ultimately channeling resources into cable news.
Notable Moments:
- Murdoch’s studio finances Titanic—a risky move that paid off spectacularly (36:00).
- “He is the guy whose company bankrolled The Simpsons … willing to take a hit for the greater good of, you know, increasing the ratings and the audiences.” (34:45)
5. Dismantling the Fairness Doctrine & Fox’s Rise
(38:00–44:30)
- Reagan-era deregulation removed the FCC’s Fairness Doctrine, opening U.S. broadcast media to openly partisan commentary.
- Roger Ailes partners with Murdoch to create Fox News, borrowing the angry, entertainment-infused talk radio model of Rush Limbaugh (39:40).
- Key innovation: Replace foreign bureaus with punditry; less journalism, more anger and opinion:
“You’ll do the reporting of the news, but it won’t be a lavish suite of foreign correspondents … you will bring in guys primarily from radio … to provide opinions about the news, what it means, how to think about it, etc.”
—Graham Murdoch (41:00)
Memorable Segment:
“Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and they bloviate on demand. You know, they don’t just have opinions, they have big opinions and theatrical opinions.”
—Matthew Ricketson (42:00)
6. Tabloidization, Propaganda, and Political Impact
(44:30–49:00)
- The “tabloidization” of Fox News shifts TV news from reporting to infotainment-propaganda.
- Murdoch balances elite respectability (Wall Street Journal) with populist outrage (Fox News):
“When you have both Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, you have that powerful role—who is really going to go against you?”
—Des Freedman (48:00) - Fox News is portrayed as a “monster” escaping its creator’s control, with its audience and Trump now driving the political narrative.
Final Insight:
"It's like Victor Frankenstein and his monster … they've created a monster which has now gotten away from them and there's actually two monsters. The first monster is the Fox News audience and the second monster is Donald Trump."
—Des Freedman (51:10)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- “One enjoys the feeling of power … I think RUP is a very good and tough businessman.” —Rupert Murdoch (archival, 01:50)
- “I can either give you favorable publicity or I can pour a bucket of shit on you every day. What’s it to be?” —Story about Murdoch’s negotiation style (10:05)
- “Fucking publish. Fucking publish.” —Murdoch when told Hitler diaries were fake (13:00)
- “This is the most humble day of my life.” —Rupert Murdoch before UK Parliament (24:20)
- “Trump is one of its [Page Six’s] key sources … they’re constantly pumping him up and he’s constantly feeding them stories … a bit of a gossip magnet.” —Matthew Ricketson (31:20)
- “Tabloidization, that’s what is applied to Fox News. It changes the media landscape … Tell me what to think about the news, make me angry or upset about the news.” —Graham Murdoch (44:00)
- “They've created a monster which has now gotten away from them and there's actually two monsters. The first monster is the Fox News audience and the second monster is Donald Trump.” —Des Freedman (51:10)
Takeaways
- Rupert Murdoch’s media empire grew from inherited privilege and cutthroat tactics, shaping political realities in Australia, the UK, and the U.S.
- His tabloid instincts coupled with political canniness transformed how news is crafted and consumed, blurring lines between information, entertainment, and propaganda.
- Fox News, built on a deregulated environment and fueled by opinion and outrage, has become more than a news channel—it’s a central engine of American right-wing politics, now arguably beyond even Murdoch’s control.
- Murdoch’s legacy is paradoxical: admired for his vision and power, reviled for the impact on journalism, democracy, and public discourse.
Major Segments & Timestamps
- Murdoch’s early life and Australian roots: 04:15–08:30
- Expansion and influence in UK media: 08:30–19:00
- Phone hacking scandal fallout: 20:20–25:00
- Arrival in and conquest of American media: 28:00–41:00
- Demise of Fairness Doctrine and Fox News origin: 38:00–44:30
- Fox News, tabloidization, and impact on politics: 44:30–end
For Further Reference
- Episode Guests:
- Des Freedman (Goldsmiths, University of London)
- Graham Murdoch (University of Loughborough)
- Matthew Ricketson (Deakin University, Australia)