The Left's Struggle Against Rupert Murdoch: A Monopoly's Legacy in Western Media

In recent years, the left in Australia, the USA, and the UK has been actively trying to shut down Rupert Murdoch's global media empire. This effort reflects a broader concern within Western societies about the dominance of a single media giant. Some argue that this is the last phase of the left's bid for total media control. Let's explore this intriguing phenomenon and its broader implications.

Resentment and Contention

There is a significant amount of resentment directed towards Rupert Murdoch's media empire. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the battle is not necessarily between left and right. Instead, it is primarily a reflection of the failure of market competition and the inequities it promotes. The rapid rise of Murdoch's empire has come at the expense of smaller, independent media outlets, leading to a monopolistic landscape.

The Failure of Capitalism

Capitalism, grounded in the principle of competition, thrives on the notion that companies should vie for market share. This often results in a "survival of the fittest" environment, where more efficient and better models dominate. However, when market competition dries up, the scenario becomes dire. Without significant competition, there is no mechanism to check and balance dominant media figures. This is exactly the situation Rupert Murdoch's media empire finds itself in today. As a result, the empire is free to spread its editorial policies unchallenged.

Historical Analogy: Corner Stores and Supermarkets

Consider the historical transition from corner stores to supermarkets. In the early days, corner stores competed with one another, offering diverse and often better services to the community. But with the advent of larger, more efficient supermarkets, corner stores began to disappear. In the end, establishments like supermarkets had the freedom to raise prices, as there was no significant competition to curb their power.

The media market follows a similar pattern. As Murdoch's media empire has grown, it has systematically bought out or outcompeted independent media outlets. This has left a market landscape where large media conglomerates like Murdoch's have free rein. The problem is that a lack of competition results in a dull and impoverished selection of media options. Who, for instance, would choose a Microsoft computer when there is a user-friendly alternative?

The Left's Bid for Media Dominance

The efforts to curtail Murdoch's media empire are often justified as a means to diversify media voices and promote a more democratic and pluralistic media environment. However, it is crucial to question the motives behind these efforts. While the left often accuses the right of supporting monopolistic media, the struggle for media dominance is more a reflection of the failure of capitalist competition.

It is argued that the left's push for media diversity is ultimately a bid to gain control over the narrative and shape public opinion. This reflects a broader trend of trying to consolidate power within a single, ideological framework. As a result, the left's efforts to undermine Murdoch's empire may be seen as the final phase of their bid for total media dominance.

Conclusion

The battle against Murdoch's media empire highlights the complex dynamics of power, competition, and media control within Western societies. While the motivation behind the left's efforts is understandable, the strategy itself is rooted in the very issues of monopsony that it seeks to address. As the media market continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see if efforts to diversify media voices will lead to a more vibrant and competitive landscape, or if they will simply result in a different kind of media monopoly.

In summary, the left's struggle against Rupert Murdoch reflects both the failure of capitalist competition and a broader desire for media control. This struggle has significant implications for media diversity and the future of democracy in Western societies.