Rupert Murdoch Brushes Aside Climate Change Denier Question

The founder and chairman of News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, has rebuffed claims his company promotes a climate-change-denying agenda, reports mumbrella.com.

At the company’s annual general meeting in New York, Murdoch was asked about the company’s stance on climate change: “What do you believe is the global role of News Corp in the current geo-political climate? If you do believe in climate change… why [does] News Corp give climate denies like Andrew Bolt and Terry McCrann so much air-time in Australia?”

The question was asked by Jessica Craig, a proxy for News Corp shareholder Stephen Mayne.

Murdoch responded: “On climate change, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 25% six years ahead of schedule. We were the first North American media company to commit to science-based targets to limit climate change. We have reduced energy costs by [US]$18m since fiscal ’14. Global paper policy to ensure 100% of publication paper is sourced from certified sustainable material. And print centers have achieved 96% diversion from brown fields as part of our zero waste goal. There are no climate change deniers around, I can assure you.”

Rupert Murdoch

During the AGM, however, Murdoch pushed the company’s “premium content” offering.

“News Corp is an increasingly digital and global company, defined by unparalleled premium content and market-leading and multi-platform brands…. News Corp is a uniquely influential media company,” Murdoch said.

CEO Robert Thomson echoed these sentiments, positing that we’re entering a new era.

“We are surely entering an era in which our trusted news, information and entertainment is increasingly sought by platforms, partners, advertisers and audiences globally. We intend to make the most of that emerging opportunity for the benefit of all our shareholders,” Thomson said.

Both men lightly praised Facebook for taking the first steps in rewarding and respecting its journalism, however signalled there was still some way to go in balancing the playing field between traditional publishers and tech giants.

Overall, Murdoch said News Corp has had a “successful year” and it was now working to optimize its profits and simplify the structure of the company.

On how it can maintain its market position and have its mastheads survive in an ever-changing environment, Murdoch said “the secret is to go digital”.