‘Climate Villain’: Did Rupert Murdoch Use His Media Empire To Foster Climate Denialism?

“When our history is written, and the final roster of climate villains is posted, Murdoch will be at the top,” said Dr Peter Gleick, a co-founder of the California-based Pacific Institute.

Scientists have described media tycoon Rupert Murdoch as a “climate villain” who has used his television and newspaper empire to foster climate denialism and delay action.

He is stepping down as chairman of News Corp and Fox Corp. Experts fear his outlets, including Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and The Australian, have caused lasting damage.

Rupert Murdoch “Bears Enormous Responsibility”

“We have wasted decades debating the fundamental science in the media, when we really should have been focused on urgently implementing climate policies,” said Dr Joëlle Gergis.

The climate scientist at Australian National University accused Murdoch of influencing the public’s understanding of climate change.

Prof Lesley Hughes, a member of the Australian government’s independent advisory group the Climate Change Authority, described the media tycoon’s moves as “extraordinarily damaging”.

“He bears enormous responsibility … His outlets have actively promoted scepticism about climate science that has undermined the need to act.”

Tony Abbott Nominated For A Board Position

Dr Friederike Otto at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, highlighted how climate protesters are portrayed as people trying to make life difficult for others.

“In reality they try to make it better,” the lecturer in climate science noted. In 2015, Rupert Murdoch called himself a “sceptic not a denier” of the climate emergency.

In 2019, he said there were “no climate change deniers” around his company during a News Corp annual meeting. Independent bodies, however, have challenged this.

Tony Abbott, the former Australian PM who has repeatedly said he does not accept mainstream climate science, has been nominated for a board position, Fox Corporation said Friday.

Murdoch’s son Lachlan described Abbott as a person with “skills, experience and perspectives” that would benefit the company.