“The board and I believe I should continue in my current role as chairman and CEO,” Rupert Murdoch said, as he announced News Corp.’s Q4 2011 earnings. But there was another message, perhaps, for the critics…
“Make no mistake, (president and chief operating officer) Chase Carey and I run this company as a team. The strength of that partnership is reflected in our improved results.”
Murdoch’s reference to Carey, who, as usual, spoke in detail to investment analysts about News Corp.’s business while Murdoch took a back seat, was likely designed to calm Wall Street jitters about the leadership of Rupert’s company, in the wake of the phone “hacking” scandal.
“I hope the job won’t be open in the near future!,” Murdoch said, to laughs, reiterating: “Chase is my partner. If anything happens to me, I’m sure he’d get it immediately, if I run under a bus.
“Chase and I have full confidence in James (Murdoch). But, in the end, succession is a matter for the board.”
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Asked about the independence of that board, he added: “I don’t plan changes. It’s a very strong board, very often very critical, and we very often have free-ranging discussions.
“We are in compliance with standards for good corporate governance.”
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