In a new book titled Getting Murdoched, former News Corp journalists Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson detail a systematic pattern of personal attacks by Rupert Murdoch's media empire, which they claim harms individuals and stifles public debate. The book, dedicated to 'the bullied', examines cases across the US, UK, and Australia.
The Case of Professor David Nutt
In 2009, Professor David Nutt, a pharmacology expert and former chief drugs adviser to the British Labour government, remarked at a public discussion that alcohol was a more serious social problem than psychedelic drugs. Shortly after, a reporter from The Sun called him, threatening to expose his children's drug and drinking habits. Nutt responded by calling the reporter 'a despicable piece of shit.'
Under the headline 'Off his Nutt', The Sun published photos from Nutt's children's Facebook pages, including his son Steve smoking a roll-up, another son Johnny 'prancing NAKED in the snow in Sweden', and his daughter Lydia holding a bottle of spirits. Nutt complained to the UK regulator, but it took weeks for the photos to be removed.
Defining 'Getting Murdoched'
Dodd and Ricketson coin the term 'Murdoched' to describe being 'editorially attacked when one’s ideas or deeds do not accord with the media proprietor’s programs or publications.' The book examines 50 cases across the US, UK, and Australia, including interviews with prominent and ordinary individuals targeted by Murdoch outlets such as The Sun, the New York Post, and Fox News.
The authors argue that Murdoch has 'perverted the fourth estate function of journalism,' using it to hold individuals accountable rather than holding power to account. Techniques include launching a torrent of articles to contest even minor points, personal attacks, and repeating false claims as if they were true.
Impact on Democracy and Individuals
The consequences are severe, with a chilling effect on democracy and serious harm to targets. Ricketson notes that the Murdoch method often involves picking up on social media posts, blowing them out of proportion, and using them to disqualify individuals. Common targets include climate scientists, women's rights advocates, Muslims, and LGBTQ+ community members.
Indigenous Australian academic Larissa Behrendt experienced this when she posted a bad joke on social media. The Australian published a front-page story and followed with 16 articles in 16 days. Behrendt described it as a 'psychological assassination,' saying, 'I felt destroyed by it.'
Case of Flint Del Sol
In the US, trans teacher Flint Del Sol faced a Fox News story mischaracterizing his LGBTQ+ student library, leading to abuse, threats, and a bomb hoax. Del Sol left teaching two years later, saying, 'I left teaching because I was sure that one day I wouldn’t come home.'
The global nature of News Corp compounds the damage, creating an echo chamber across markets. Dodd notes that campaigns on Fox News against the transgender community migrate to Sky News Australia. He describes this as 'that much more dangerous as a company.'
News Corp and Fox News were approached for comment. Getting Murdoched by Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson is published by Hardie Grant Books in Australia, with US and UK releases to follow.
