By Matthew Knott and Zoe Samios
Washington: James Murdoch has accused his family's global media empire of promoting climate denialism in a stunning attack on News Corporation's climate coverage.
The comments represent a rare public dispute among members of the Murdoch family about News Corp's editorial direction.
Rupert Murdoch flanked by sons Lachlan (left) and James. Credit: Doug Peters
They come as News Corp Australia boosts security at its Sydney headquarters and other offices following weeks of attention and criticism on its coverage of the national bushfire crisis.
An email sent to all staff this week by News Corp Australia’s managing director of The Australian, NSW and Prestige Titles, Nicholas Gray, said security efforts had been increased due to “recent social media commentary and potential protests activities about climate change”.
“Please be prepared to present your staff ID card to security when entering the building,” Mr Gray said.
“If you do not have your pass with you, access to the building may be delayed while you are verified.”
The bushfire crisis ravaging Australia has focused attention on the climate coverage in News Corp mastheads such as The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and the Herald Sun.
“Kathryn and James’ views on climate are well established and their frustration with some of the News Corp and Fox coverage of the topic is also well known,” a spokesperson for Murdoch and his wife told The Daily Beast website.
"They are particularly disappointed with the ongoing denial among the news outlets in Australia given obvious evidence to the contrary.”
Rupert Murdoch recently denied that there were any climate change deniers working at News Corp despite several of the company's best-known columnists, such as Andrew Bolt and Piers Akerman, being long-time sceptics of the link between human activity and global warming.
James Murdoch continues to serve as a News Corp board member but plays far less of an active role in the company than his brother Lachlan, who is co-chairman of News Corp and the chief executive of Fox Corporation.
Lachlan is regarded as more conservative than James, who has long chafed at the editorial stance of Fox News, which has become closely aligned to US President Donald Trump and regularly casts doubt on climate science.
In an email to senior staff last week News Corp Australia commercial finance manager Emily Townsend blasted her employer for promoting a "misinformation campaign" on the cause of the bushfires.
"I find it unconscionable to continue working for this company, knowing I am contributing to the spread of climate change denial and lies," she said.
"The reporting I have witnessed in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun is not only irresponsible but dangerous and damaging to our communities and beautiful planet that needs us more than ever to acknowledge the destruction we have caused and start doing something about it."