Abstract

A Present for Murdoch

The author criticizes the Bush Administration's decision to allow media mogul Rupert Murdoch to add DirecTV to his empire, thereby greatly increasing his already considerable influence over the U.S. media landscape. The Bush Administration will make sure that no Grinch spoils Rupert Murdoch's holiday season. By the New Year, Murdoch's News Corporation will be in control of the country's largest direct-broadcast satellite service, DirecTV. The takeover of this company, with its 11 million subscribers, will greatly increase Murdoch's power over the American TV landscape. It will also mean that conservatives will have an even greater ability to push their agenda. With Fox News a 24/7 commercial for the Bush White House and with the Weekly Standard's constant cheerleading, Murdoch is an especially valuable friend. This latest deal should have raised the hackles of Democrats, especially the presidential contenders, who could have pointed to the danger of ever more media consolidation. But sadly, Democratic leaders, unions and progressive advocates have been silent, allowing the merger to sail through the review process. Murdoch's political success with this merger didn't depend solely on his ability to have Fox News support the Administration and give Republican politicians airtime. He also worked the old-fashioned way. From 1999 to 2002, his company spent almost $10 million on its lobbying operations. The acquisition of DirecTV makes Murdoch one of the most powerful US media moguls--with a vast "triple play" TV empire in broadcasting, cable and now satellite.