How Rupert Murdoch became an estate agent

Rupert Murdoch inherited a parochial Adelaide newspaper from his dad, Keith, and turned it into a global media empire. But Rupert inherited more than just newspapers. His father helped to forge the relationship in Australia between media, business and conservative politics.

Rupert took that blend and made it global. He has helped to make and break governments, shaped elections, and turned tabloid journalism into one of the defining political forces of the modern age. But now, things look different for the Murdoch empire – very different indeed.

Back in their heyday, the Murdoch newspapers were huge business – they were the business. But today, they are a shell of what they once were, little more than media brands.