Editing Rupert Murdoch (section)

=== Political activities in the United Kingdom ===
In Britain, in the 1980s, Murdoch formed a close alliance with [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]].<ref name=:40/> In February 1981, when Murdoch, already owner of ''[[The Sun (UK)|The Sun]]'' and ''[[The News of the World]]'', sought to buy ''[[The Times]]'' and ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', Thatcher's government let his bid pass without referring it to the [[Monopolies and Mergers Commission]], which was usual practice at the time.<ref name=I>{{cite web |last1=McSmith |first1=Andy |title=Revealed: Murdoch's secret meeting with Mrs Thatcher before he bought The Times |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/revealed-murdochs-secret-meeting-with-mrs-thatcher-before-he-bought-the-times-7575910.html |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en |date=17 March 2012 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204080624/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/revealed-murdochs-secret-meeting-with-mrs-thatcher-before-he-bought-the-times-7575910.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=G>{{cite web |last1=Travis |first1=Alan |title=Murdoch did meet Thatcher before Times takeover, memo reveals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/17/rupert-murdoch-margaret-thatcher |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en |date=17 March 2012 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924132120/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/mar/17/rupert-murdoch-margaret-thatcher |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McNally |first1=Paul |title=Rupert Murdoch: Thatcher meeting over Times was 'quite appropriate' |url=https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/rupert-murdoch-thatcher-meeting-over-times-was-quite-appropriate-/s2/a548945/ |website=journalism.co.uk |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821153033/http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/rupert-murdoch-thatcher-meeting-over-times-was-quite-appropriate-/s2/a548945/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although contact between the two before this point had been explicitly denied in an official history of ''The Times'', documents found in Thatcher's archives in 2012 revealed a secret meeting had taken place a month before in which Murdoch briefed Thatcher on his plans for the paper, such as taking on trade unions.<ref name=I/><ref name=G/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Owen |title=How Rupert Murdoch built up to Fox News: "It clearly isn't a free media" |url=https://www.salon.com/test2/2015/05/03/how_rupert_murdoch_built_up_to_fox_news_it_clearly_isnt_a_free_media/ |website=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]] |language=en |date=3 May 2015 |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027155907/https://www.salon.com/test2/2015/05/03/how_rupert_murdoch_built_up_to_fox_news_it_clearly_isnt_a_free_media/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''The Sun'' [[It's The Sun Wot Won It|credited itself]] with helping her successor [[John Major]] to win an unexpected election victory in the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]], which had been expected to end in a [[hung parliament]] or a narrow win for Labour, then led by [[Neil Kinnock]].<ref name=:40>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3654446.stm | work=BBC News | title=Forty years of The Sun | date=14 September 2004 | access-date=10 April 2010 | first=Torin | last=Douglas | archive-date=12 September 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912042605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3654446.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> In the general elections of [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]], [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]] and [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]], Murdoch's papers were either neutral or supported [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] under [[Tony Blair]].{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}

The Labour Party, from when Blair became leader in 1994, had moved from the centre-left to a more centrist position on many economic issues before 1997. Murdoch identifies himself as a [[Libertarianism in the United States|libertarian]], saying "What does libertarian mean? As much individual responsibility as possible, as little government as possible, as few rules as possible. But I'm not saying it should be taken to the absolute limit."<ref>{{cite news |last=Shawcross |first=William |title=Rupert Murdoch |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/intl/article/0,9171,1107991025-33716,00.html |magazine=Time |access-date=29 November 2012 |date=3 November 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618211609/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/intl/article/0%2C9171%2C1107991025-33716%2C00.html |archive-date=18 June 2006 }}</ref>

In a speech he delivered in New York in 2005, Murdoch claimed that Blair described the [[BBC]] coverage of the [[Hurricane Katrina]] disaster, which was critical of the Bush administration's response, as full of hatred of America.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blair 'attacked BBC over Katrina'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4257190.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=29 August 2010|date=18 September 2005|archive-date=2 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202020111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4257190.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 28 June 2006, the BBC reported that Murdoch and News Corporation were considering backing new [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative leader]] [[David Cameron]] at the next General Election – still up to four years away.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5127284.stm | title= Murdoch flirts with Conservatives | work= BBC News | date= 28 June 2006 | access-date= 25 April 2010 | archive-date= 15 January 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090115142315/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5127284.stm | url-status= live }}</ref> In a later interview in July 2006, when he was asked what he thought of the Conservative leader, Murdoch replied "Not much".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-world-according-to-rupert-6094669.html |title=The world according to Rupert |work=The Independent |location=London |date=23 July 2006 |access-date=25 April 2010 |first=Nicholas |last=Wapshott |archive-date=18 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418012718/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-world-according-to-rupert-6094669.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2009 blog, it was suggested that in the aftermath of the [[News International phone hacking scandal|''News of the World'' phone hacking scandal]], which might yet have transatlantic implications,<ref>{{Cite journal | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14111966 | title = Rupert Murdoch: Could his US empire be affected? | journal = BBC News | date = 12 July 2011 | access-date = 21 July 2018 | archive-date = 9 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181109224308/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14111966 | url-status = live }}</ref> Murdoch and News Corporation might have decided to back Cameron.<ref>{{cite news | location= London | url= http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/christopherhope/100002849/rupert-murdoch-to-back-david-cameron-at-next-general-election-exclusive/ | work= The Daily Telegraph | date= 10 July 2009 | access-date= 10 April 2010 | title= Rupert Murdoch to back David Cameron at next general election | archive-date= 4 March 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083410/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/christopherhope/100002849/rupert-murdoch-to-back-david-cameron-at-next-general-election-exclusive/ | url-status= dead }}</ref> Despite this, there had already been a convergence of interests between the two men over the muting of Britain's communications regulator [[Ofcom]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/mediamoney/2009/07/06/paying-tribute-to-murdoch-cameron-promises-the-end-of-ofcom-as-we-know-it |last1=Kirwan |first1=Peter |title=Paying tribute to Murdoch: Cameron promises the end of Ofcom "as we know it" |website=Media Money |publisher=Press Gazette |location=UK |date=6 July 2009 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622224157/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/mediamoney/2009/07/06/paying-tribute-to-murdoch-cameron-promises-the-end-of-ofcom-as-we-know-it |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2008, Cameron accepted free flights to hold private talks and attend private parties with Murdoch on his yacht, the ''Rosehearty''.<ref name="R000977">{{cite news| first= Andrew| last= Grice| title= Cameron, Murdoch and a Greek island freebie| date= 24 October 2008| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-murdoch-and-a-greek-island-freebie-971470.html| work= The Independent| location= London| access-date= 25 October 2008| archive-date= 16 January 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090116204730/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-murdoch-and-a-greek-island-freebie-971470.html| url-status= live}}</ref> Cameron declared in the Commons register of interests he accepted a private plane provided by Murdoch's son-in-law, public relations guru [[Matthew Freud]]; Cameron did not reveal his talks with Murdoch. The gift of travel in Freud's [[Gulfstream IV]] private jet was valued at around £30,000. Other guests attending the "social events" included the then EU trade commissioner [[Lord Mandelson]], the Russian oligarch [[Oleg Deripaska]] and co-chairman of [[NBC Universal]] [[Ben Silverman]]. The Conservatives did not disclose what was discussed.<ref name="R000976">{{cite news| first= David| last= Hencke| title= Tories try to play down Aegean dinner| date= 25 October 2008| url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/oct/25/david-cameron-rupert-murdoch-meeting| work= The Guardian| access-date= 25 October 2008| location= London| archive-date= 19 December 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131219130952/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/oct/25/david-cameron-rupert-murdoch-meeting| url-status= live}}</ref>

In July 2011, it emerged that Cameron had met key executives of Murdoch's News Corporation a total of 26 times during the 14 months that Cameron had served as prime minister up to that point.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.voanews.com/a/rupert-murdoch-apologizes-to-phone-hacking-victims-125682133/142346.html | title = Records Show Britain's Cameron Kept Close Ties to Murdoch Officials | work = [[VOA News]] | date = 16 July 2011 | access-date = 17 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718095255/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Rupert-Murdoch-Apologizes-to-Phone-Hacking-Victims-125682133.html | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> It was also reported that Murdoch had given Cameron a personal guarantee that there would be no risk attached to hiring [[Andy Coulson]], the former editor of ''News of the World'', as the Conservative Party's communication director in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/the-battle-of-wapping-mk-ii-2310041.html |title=The Battle of Wapping, Mk II – Press, Media |work=The Independent |location=UK |access-date=12 July 2011 |first1=Jane |last1=Merrick |first2=James |last2=Hanning |first3=Matt |last3=Chorley |first4=Brian |last4=Brady |date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=12 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712032119/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/the-battle-of-wapping-mk-ii-2310041.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was in spite of Coulson having resigned as editor over phone hacking by a reporter. Cameron chose to take Murdoch's advice, despite warnings from the deputy prime minister, [[Nick Clegg]], [[Paddy Ashdown|Lord Ashdown]] and ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news | author = Toby Helm and Daniel Boffey | url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/09/phone-hacking-andy-coulson-paddy-ashdown | title = Phone hacking: I warned No 10 over Coulson appointment, says Ashdown | work = The Guardian | location = UK | access-date = 12 July 2011 | date = 9 July 2011 | archive-date = 19 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131219130928/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/09/phone-hacking-andy-coulson-paddy-ashdown | url-status = live }}</ref> Coulson resigned his post in 2011 and was later arrested and questioned on allegations of further criminal activity at the ''News of the World'', specifically the phone hacking scandal. As a result of the subsequent trial, Coulson was sentenced to 18 months in jail.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-28160626 | title = Andy Coulson jailed for 18 months over phone hacking | work = [[BBC News]] | date = 4 July 2014 | access-date = 21 July 2018 | archive-date = 10 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213508/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-28160626 | url-status = live }}</ref>

In June 2016, ''The Sun'' supported Vote Leave in the [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]]. Murdoch called the [[Brexit]] result "wonderful", comparing the decision to withdraw from the EU to "a prison break ... we're out".<ref>{{cite news|title=Rupert Murdoch gives his verdict on 'wonderful' Brexit|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/brexit-rupert-murdoch-the-sun-eu-referendum-a7108621.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=22 July 2016|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118122337/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/brexit-rupert-murdoch-the-sun-eu-referendum-a7108621.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Anthony Hilton, economics editor for the ''[[Evening Standard]]'' but describing a period when he interviewed Murdoch for ''[[The Guardian]]'', quoted Murdoch as justifying his [[Euroscepticism]] with the words "When I go into Downing Street, they do what I say; when I go to Brussels, they take no notice."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/anthony-hilton-stay-or-go-the-lack-of-solid-facts-means-it-s-all-a-leap-of-faith-a3189151.html|title = Stay or go - the lack of solid facts means it's all a leap of faith| newspaper=The Standard |date = 25 February 2016 | last1=Hilton | first1=Anthony }}</ref> Murdoch denied saying this later in a letter to ''The Guardian''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/dec/19/rupert-murdoch-i-have-never-asked-for-anything-from-any-prime-minister|title = Rupert Murdoch: 'I have never asked for anything from any prime minister' &#124; Letter|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = 19 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/rupert-murdoch-says-never-asks-anything-prime-minister-37419|title=Rupert Murdoch references 'fake news' as he denies influence on PM|date=19 December 2016}}</ref>

With some exceptions, ''The Sun'' had generally been supportive of the government of Conservative prime minister [[Boris Johnson]]. Murdoch and his employees were the media representatives ministers from the [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet]] and [[HM Treasury|Treasury]] most frequently held meetings during the first two years of Johnson's government. However, newspaper circulation in general including among subsidiaries of News International fell sharply in the United Kingdom during the early 21st century, leading some commentators to suggest that Murdoch was not as influential in British political debate by the early 2020s as he had once been.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ponsford|first=Dominic|date=25 June 2021|title=Rupert Murdoch's bid to end editorial independence at the Times is a sign of decline|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/media/2021/06/rupert-murdoch-s-bid-end-editorial-independence-times-sign-decline|access-date=26 June 2021|website=www.newstatesman.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mayhew|first=Freddy|date=13 May 2021|title=Politicians and the press: Ten years after Leveson we investigate whether they are still too close|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/politicians-and-the-press-ten-years-after-leveson-we-investigate-whether-they-are-still-too-close/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Press Gazette|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=21 June 2021|title=Most popular newspapers in the UK. National press ABCs|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/most-popular-newspapers-uk-abc-monthly-circulation-figures/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Press Gazette|language=en-US}}</ref>