Lachlan Murdoch
Executive Chair & CEO, Fox Corporation
Chairman, News Corp
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Murdoch,
For over 140 years, E&P Magazine (Editor & Publisher) has been the authoritative voice of the news publishing industry, covering not only journalism’s evolution but also the critical role media plays in holding power accountable. That responsibility has never been more vital than it is today.
We commend the Wall Street Journal for its recent editorials challenging President Trump’s positions on Ukraine and tariffs. These thoughtful critiques acknowledge that the stakes are high—not just for the Republican Party, but for American democracy. However, at this pivotal moment, the Journal alone cannot shift the narrative. It will take a change in approach at Fox News to ensure that necessary checks and balances remain in place, allowing principled conservatives to act based on conviction rather than fear.
History reminds us of the weight of such moments. In the early 1950s, CBS’s William Paley had to make a defining decision—to stand by Edward R. Murrow and Fred Friendly as they took on Senator Joseph McCarthy. And in the early 1970s, Katharine Graham made the courageous choice to publish the Pentagon Papers, despite immense political pressure. These were not easy choices, but they were the right ones. Today, Fox News finds itself in a similar position. Will it continue shielding Trump and those amplifying his most extreme positions, or will it foster a broader, more honest discourse in conservative media?
This is not just about preserving Republican ideals—it is about ensuring that our national discourse is driven by truth, not fear. The American right is not a monolith. There is an enormous audience in the center-right—business leaders, national security conservatives, and Reagan Republicans—seeking a media voice that reflects their values. A Fox News that prioritizes facts over fear, leadership over loyalty tests, and intellectual rigor over blind allegiance stands to regain more audience than it loses.
As a leader with unmatched influence, you have the power to restore balance and integrity to conservative media. Is there a voice within Fox News—trusted and respected—who could serve as today’s truth-teller, as Murrow once did? History will remember this era. Will Fox News be seen as an enabler of unchecked political dominance, or as the news organization that stepped up when democracy needed it most?
The choice, as it was for Graham and Paley, is yours.
Respectfully,
Mike Blinder
Publisher
E&P Magazine
Mike@EditorandPublisher.com
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