Murdoch's Empire

As media mogul Rupert Murdoch closes in on a deal to buy the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times has unleashed a multi-part series about Murdoch's business dealings. Monday's installment reported that Murdoch's "vast media holdings give him a gamut of tools — not just campaign contributions, but also jobs for former government officials and media exposure that promotes allies while attacking adversaries, sometimes viciously — all of which he has used to further his financial interests and establish his legitimacy in the United States." Tuesday's installment highlights Murdoch's willingness to subordinate his conservative ideology to business goals, noting that in China he "has flattered Communist Party leaders and done business with their children ... joined hands with the Communist Youth League" and "cooperates closely with China's censors and state broadcasters" to cultivate "political ties that he hopes will insulate his business ventures from regulatory interference."