Plans to add Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch, to the company’s board have been put on hold, the company announced.
The company had planned to add Elisabeth to its board — which already includes her father and brothers Lachlan and James — after acquiring Shine Group, her British television production company, for $675 million earlier this year. U.S. investors had criticized the acquisition, citing nepotism.
According to t
he
Los Angeles Times’
“Company Town” blog,
a statement attributed to News Corp. independent director Viet Dinh said:
“Elisabeth Murdoch suggested to the independent directors some weeks ago that she felt it would be inappropriate to include her nomination to the board of News Corp. at this year’s annual general meeting.”
The LA Times report noted that Rupert Murdoch had wanted Elisabeth, Lachlan and James to join him on the board. The company is now in the midst of a phone-hacking scandal. (Source:
Los Angeles Times,
Aug. 5, 2011.)
-
673 reads