Murdoch'S Son Continues Rise Up Corporate Ladder

Lachlan joined News Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of News Corp, as general manager of the company's Queensland Newspap-ers business in 1994.

He will now be responsible for managing all News Ltd operations, which mainly comprise newspapers, investments in magazines and television, and a 50 per cent stake in airline Ansett Australia.

The appointment will not affect the role of News Ltd chairman and chief executive Ken Cowley, a long time confidant of Rupert Murdoch and a member of the News Corp board.

I will remain intimately in the business as executive chairman of News Ltd as well as continuing to hold a range of directorships, Cowley said in a statement.

 

My primary function will be to shape the strategic direction of the group's businesses at a time when traditional media is confronting its greatest challenges from technological change and increased competition, Cowley said.

Lachlan will concentrate on managing the News group operations and will report to me, he said.

Lachlan Murdoch, 25, is also a director of Murdoch's joint venture in China with The People's Daily and deputy chairman of Hong Kong-based satellite broadcaster STAR TV.

He does not have a seat on the board but is on the group's executive committee which was formed in late 1995.

My progress through News Limited has been made possible because of the support of Cowley and the other executives of the News group, Lachlan Murdoch said in the same statement.

Lachlan is one of two Murdoch children employed in the News Corp business.

Murdoch's daughter Eliza-beth was appointed general manager, broadcasting, of British Sky Broadcasting in February.

Murdoch's other son, James, and daughter, Prudence, are not involved in the A$18.9 billion ($14.9 billion) family business, but his wife Anna is on the board.