Who is Rupert Murdoch? Do we really know him besides what he wants us to know about him? Is there someone in India or abroad who can share with us the untold story of this world's greatest media wizard?

Most of the stuff below has emerged from his own public relations exercise.

Rupert Murdoch is known as World's Greatest Deal Maker. He has overturned the media industries of the countries where he has ventured. (Media watchers, please confirm)

His company, News Corporation, has total assets of over $30 billion and annual sales of over $12 billion. How does he do it? He has build News Corporation from one small newspaper The Adelaide News in Adelaide to a global media empire. This Australian born businessman is an American citizen since 1985, he is seen as having a right-wing political stance. According to Businessweek, "his satellites deliver TV programs in five continents, all but dominating Britain, Italy, and wide swaths of Asia and the Middle East. He publishes 175 newspapers, including the New York Post and The Times of London. In the U.S., he owns the Twentieth Century Fox Studio, Fox Network, and 35 TV stations that reach more than 40% of the country...His cable channels include fast-growing Fox News, and 19 regional sports channels. In all, as many as one in five American homes at any given time will be tuned into a show News Corp. either produced or delivered." He owns the publishing company, HarperCollins.

Some among us work with Murdoch's company, has anyone pondered over his life and his motives. He is a powerful messenger his credentials must be under constant public scrutiny.

One just heard about "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" a documentary film by Robert Greenwald regarding Fox News Channel which examines how media empires, led by Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, have been running a "race to the bottom" in television news. This film provides an in-depth look at Fox News and the dangers of ever-enlarging corporations taking control of the public's right to know.

The film referred to as "A cult classic" by The Guardian explores Murdoch's burgeoning kingdom and the impact on society when a broad swath of media is controlled by one person.

This documentary also reveals the secrets of Former Fox news producers, reporters, bookers and writers who expose what it's like to work for Fox News. These former Fox employees talk about how they were forced to push a "right-wing" point of view or risk their jobs. Some have even chosen to remain anonymous in order to protect their current livelihoods. As one employee said "There's no sense of integrity as far as having a line that can't be crossed."


Murdoch to review Star operations in India

Media mogul and Star TV owner Rupert Murdoch, who arrived in the city on 19th March from Beijing, is expected to review Star TV's operations. Murdoch, who is visiting India after a gap of five years, would review the operations of the newly launched Star One, Star Utsav and Star News, Star TV with his Asian team, including Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie, Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea and COO Sameer Nair.

Murdoch is on a five-day trip in India. A series of meetings are scheduled with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Information & broadcast minister Jaipal Reddy & others.

Murdoch is scheduled to meet some of the top editors of newspapers over breakfast during his Delhi stay.

Murdoch has plans to make foray in South India either in partnership with Sun TV or independently.

Also Tata Group is partnering Star in the soon-to-launch Rs 16 billion DTH project Space TV.

Radio FM and TV news are the other two segments where Murdoch’s views would shape the future course of action for Star.

Murdoch's present association with the Kolkata–based ABP Group could be extended to other news products, like the proposed Bengali channel.

There is more to Rupert Murdoch than meets the eye. He believes that the media should be treated like any other business, not as a semi-sacred public trust.

P.S: The Economist reported that in 1986 Murdoch "helped smash the British print unions by transferring the production of his newspapers to a non-union plant at Wapping in East London." The move "proved to be a turning-point in Britain's dreadful industrial relations." AP reported Murdoch specifically "slashed employment levels" at the union plant and said he would "dismiss the 6,000 striking workers" who were trying to force concessions out of the media baron. The London Evening Standard called the tactics "the biggest union-busting operation in history." [Sources: The Economist, 4/18/98; AP, 1/27/86; Evening Standard, 11/12/98]