In Chapter Two, in our discussion of state maintenance and the formulation of key alliances, we flagged the issue of the significance of media as being a key agency in shaping public opinion. On the one hand, the media particularly in jurisdictions with a developed regulatory regime (are supposed to) have a duty to the citizenry for the portrayal of current affairs. On the other hand, however, as private enterprises they have a duty towards shareholders and owners. This creates some confusion as to their purpose. This chapter picks up on these issues and links to a discussion of the often hidden nature of state criminality due to the occupational functions of the (mainly) print media in the UK and, more specifically, publications associated with the media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Nonetheless, this chapter does not confine itself to how widespread and powerful Murdoch and his growing media platforms became within the British political arena. It also charts similar activities to gain influence in the US and beyond. To do this, we consider briefly the origins of the so-called Murdoch ‘empire’, before highlighting how, through its business model, Murdoch has become a powerful influence in social and political life across the globe. Here we consider the facilitators that have made this possible, such as Murdoch himself, and how he exercised dictatorial control over the ‘empire’. We then go on to consider the morality behind how Murdoch has continuously courted political favours, for example through making significant political US campaign contributions to politicians of various hues and, through the HarperCollins publishing house, offering book contracts to key and strategically placed political figures, despite the knowledge that (on Murdoch's part at least) the extent of the advances offered could not be recouped through book sales alone (McKnight and Hobbs, 2011). Such examples are indicative of how for decades, as Chenoweth (2001) noted, the Murdoch ‘empire’ had existed and acted in the borderlands between legality and illegality. Indeed, the book deals may be legal but the chapter moves on to investigate what Murdoch demanded in return and whether these demands were criminal, deviant or immoral.

In recent times, it has become apparent how employees in the various platforms owned by Murdoch have been engaged in activity that has encroached into the illegal.