New York (AFP)
Former 21st Century Fox Group chief executive James Murdoch, son of magnate Rupert Murdoch, has resigned from News Corp's board of directors, according to a document released Friday by the U.S. Markets Constable, the SEC.
According to a letter sent to the board and published by the SEC, this decision is due to "disagreements over certain editorial content published by the group's titles as well as other strategic decisions".
Former CEO of 21st Century Fox, which he left after Disney acquired most of the group's assets, James Murdoch now manages an investment fund, Lupa Systems.
Since this departure, James Murdoch, 47, has already been very critical of his father's group and its media coverage in general on several occasions.
In January, he denounced the climate skepticism of certain News Corp media, displayed in particular, according to him, during the coverage of the gigantic fires which devastated entire regions of Australia.
"We are grateful to James for his many years of service to the group," responded Rupert Murdoch, his father, and Lachlan Murdoch, his brother, in a statement sent to AFP by a spokesperson for News Corp.
"We wish him the best in his future endeavors," added Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, executive chairman and co-chairman of News Corp, respectively.
After the 21st Century Fox split and the bulk of the assets were sold to Disney, Rupert Murdoch created a new group, Fox Corporation, which controls the remainder.
At the head of News Corp, he is also president of Fox Corporation, of which Lachlan Murdoch is managing director and executive chairman.
James Murdoch was not a director of Fox Corporation.
© 2020 AFP