Mon Sep 23 22:07:01 UTC 2024: ## Murdoch Family Trust Battle Concludes in Secret Reno Hearing
**Reno, Nevada** – A hearing in Reno, Nevada, determining the future of Rupert Murdoch’s vast media empire concluded on Monday, leaving the outcome uncertain. The 93-year-old media mogul seeks to amend the terms of his family trust, which holds substantial stakes in Fox News parent company Fox and Wall Street Journal owner News Corp.
Murdoch’s proposed changes aim to solidify control of the media companies for his eldest son, Lachlan, upon his death, according to the New York Times. The hearing, held in probate court over the past week, was closed to the public, sparking legal battles from news organizations, including Reuters, seeking access.
A Nevada judge initially denied the request to open the hearings, leading to an appeal by the news organizations. The Murdoch family, however, argued that halting the proceedings would disrupt the process and inconvenience those who traveled to Reno for the hearings.
The Nevada Supreme Court allowed the hearings to proceed but granted news organizations 28 days to address their concerns about sealing court documents, with sensitive information redacted. The Murdoch family trust was established in 1999 during Rupert Murdoch’s divorce from his second wife, Anna. It controls approximately 40% of the voting shares in News Corp and Fox, with Murdoch’s four oldest children – Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James – set to inherit the shares.
The proposed amendment would prevent three of Lachlan Murdoch’s siblings, who are seen as more politically moderate, from potentially outvoting him, securing his control over the companies. The outcome of the legal battle and the future of Murdoch’s media empire remain shrouded in secrecy.
First Piper 