Murdoch Family in High-Stakes Battle Over Media Empire

Rupert Murdoch and four of his children appeared at a closed-door evidentiary hearing in Nevada on Monday and will remain in court through next week as the 93-year-old media mogul seeks to amend the terms of his irrevocable family trust. Murdoch is reportedly seeking to ensure his eldest son, Lachlan, retains control over prominent assets, including the Wall Street Journal and Fox News Channel, according to a sealed court document reported by the New York Times. The hearing has largely excluded public and media access.

Per the Times, Murdoch argues that retaining Lachlan as sole leader is vital for maintaining a conservative editorial stance. This move has clashed with the interests of Murdoch's other beneficiaries—his children James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—who have reportedly united to contest the proposed changes. As the trust is currently set up, all four children share equal control. An irrevocable trust, by definition, cannot be altered without beneficiaries' consent or a court order; a Nevada judge previously ruled Murdoch could amend it if the changes are proven to be made in good faith and for the heirs' benefit. Over 40 lawyers are involved in the case. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)