This is the sensational story of the scandal that almost ruined Rupert Murdoch, and resulted in ‘the most humble day’ of his life.
After his incredible rise, the second episode of The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty charts the fall from grace that left him an isolated figure.
It tells the story of how Murdoch’s huge political influence in the UK was finally challenged, revealing a closeness between Murdoch and politics that was suggested to distort democracy and eventually saw four living prime ministers face questioning at the Leveson Inquiry, changing British politics and press forever.
Amid accusations of nepotism, Murdoch gives his son a senior role within his organisation, a move that many see as a test to see if his son is fit to one day take over. Would-be prime ministers continue to court Murdoch in the hope of winning his support, but whilst Murdoch is being treated like a ‘renaissance pope’ by the political elite, an unlikely alliance begins to form that aims to bring down his empire.
An investigative journalist receives an anonymous tip off that is so explosive it sets in motion an incredible sequence of events. His investigation reveals crime, corruption and scandal at the heart of the Murdoch empire, leading all the way to one of the prime minister’s key advisers. An alliance begins to form around the journalist that includes actor Hugh Grant and politician Tom Watson.
In response to the revelations, the Murdoch empire goes on the offensive, but whistleblowers begin to emerge, and a bombshell revelation completely changes public opinion. A sequence of disastrous events leaves Murdoch’s business plans in ruins, he closes a newspaper, employees are ‘thrown under the bus’, and his son finds himself at the heart of the scandal, ruining Rupert’s plans for succession.
