Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban has finally triggered a response from his biggest media benefactor: Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox.
The owner of Fox News unveiled a very measured rebuke to Trump's ban affecting majority Muslim nations, with the public release of an internal memo from Lachlan and James Murdoch.
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"21CF [21st Century Fox] is a global company, proudly headquartered in the US, founded by – and comprising at all levels of the business – immigrants," said the memo, which was publicly released Tuesday.
21CF internal memo from Executive Chairman Lachlan Murdoch and CEO James Murdoch on U.S. immigration policies: https://t.co/w742ANqHxk pic.twitter.com/DZqaSDyMFA
— 21st Century Fox (@21CF) January 31, 2017
![Rupert Murdoch with his sons Lachlan (left) and James.](/web/20170202063350im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/3/1/t/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu1yvd.png/1485877425794.jpg)
"We deeply value diversity and believe immigration is an essential part of America's strength. Moreover, as a company that is driven by creativity and innovation, we recognise the unique perspective offered by our many people who came to the US in search of the opportunity for unfettered self-expression."
Australian-born Rupert Murdoch became a US citizen in 1985. James is a British citizen by birth, but reportedly has also taken US citizenship, as has Lachlan.
The fact Rupert's name is not on the memo probably says plenty about the competing interests the family must juggle.
Fox News – one of the company's most lucrative businesses – is run by Rupert following the departure of Roger Ailes following a sex scandal last year.
![After a fractious relationship early in the US primaries, Donald Trump now has Fox News' full support.](/web/20170202063350im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/a/f/9/7/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu1yvd.png/1485877425794.jpg)
After a fractious relationship with Trump early in the US primaries, Rupert has now swung the network to fully support the new President.
Trump blames me for WSJ poll, fights FoxNews. Time to calm down. If I running anti-Trump conspiracy then doing lousy job!
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) February 18, 2016
![Rupert Murdoch, his wife Jerry Hall and son Lachlan leave Kirribilli House after summer drinks with Malcolm Turnbull.](/web/20170202063350im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/4/c/0/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu1yvd.png/1485877425794.jpg)
The memo from 21st Century Fox may also underline the growing role Rupert's two sons have taken since being appointed to take over the running of the company last year.
Both Lachlan and James were reported to be decisive in the handling of the Ailes scandal. His removal was initially seen as an opportunity to move the right-wing network closer to the political centre. That idea was never going to survive the ascension of Trump.
![Illustration: John Shakespeare.](/web/20170202063350im_/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/2/i/h/y/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gu1yvd.png/1485877425794.jpg)
21st Century Fox was created from the split of News Corp in 2013, separating its US-dominated broadcast and movie business from its US, UK and Australian print businesses following the UK phone-hacking scandal.
Training day
It's good to see that Ross Shrimpton has not lost belief in his labour hire and training outfit Ashley Services Group, despite its recent troubles.
Former true believers – such as Labor luminary Simon Crean – found the going a little tough when its troubles began barely a year after the float, and jumped ship.
Shrimpton – who trousered $41.6 million when the company floated on the ASX in 2014 at $1.66 a share – is part of a group taking over the $5 million cash advance facility that Ashley has with Bankwest.
The entity being handed the credit facility, Shrimpton Holdings, will also get the security that Bankwest held over unspecified assets of the Ashley group.
"The company perceives this to be a positive change with a more flexible and supportive lender that will help meet the business needs of today and in the future," said Ashley in an announcement to the ASX.
It might also come in handy depending on the outcome of the strategic review of this IPO disaster story on February 28.
Shrimpton, who is now managing director of Ashley, and still owns 60 per cent of the group, will be delivering the news.
Ashley's interim chief executive/chief financial officer Paul Brittain tendered his resignation last year – just a few months into his new role – and will be out the door in a matter of weeks.
There is still no word on how the search is going for a permanent CEO to replace Stewart Cummins, who stepped down in September – effective immediately – after seven months in the role.
At least the outcome of the review will provide some clarity for the upcoming class action suit, launched by aggrieved investors who are alleging mis-statements in the 2014 prospectus.
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Got a tip? ckruger@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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