Control of the Murdoch media empire is at stake as hearings continue with the mogul and the kids

Reno, Nev. (AP) — Rupert Murdoch and his four children went behind closed doors Monday before a Nevada probate commissioner for an evidentiary hearing that could decide who will control Murdoch's media empire after his death.

The hearing, scheduled to resume on Tuesday and continue next week, comes after Murdoch, 93, moved last year to change the terms of his irrevocable family trust.

The New York Times reported, based on a sealed Washoe County court document, that it was part of a bid to ensure that her eldest son, LachlanHe is in charge of his cadre of newspapers and television networks, including the Wall Street Journal and Fox News Channel.

The court closed the hearing to the public and sealed most of the documents, largely denying access requests from news organizations, including the Associated Press.

According to the Times, the trust was originally set up after Rupert Murdoch's death to give his four eldest children equal control over his business.

Murdoch resignation last fall as the leader of both Fox News' parent company and its News Corp. media holdings. He is arguing that in order to protect the commercial value of his business for all his heirs, the trust needs to be changed so that Lachlan can ensure that his newspapers and TV networks can maintain a conservative editorial approach, the Times reported.

Lachlan succeeded his father as chairman of News Corporation in November. He is also the executive officer of Fox Corporation, home of the conservative news network Fox News, Fox Broadcasting and Sports Network and local TV stations. Media empires span continents and Helped shape modern American politics.

Rupert Murdoch's bid to change the trust pits him against his three other children named as beneficiaries: James, Elizabeth and Prudence, and according to the Times they have banded together to prevent their father from amending the trust.

Irrevocable trusts are generally used to limit estate taxes for other reasons and cannot be changed without the beneficiaries' permission or by court order.

Nevada Probate Commissioner Edmund J. of the Second Judicial District Court in Reno. Gorman ruled this summer that Rupert Murdoch could amend the trust if he could show he was acting in good faith and for the sole benefit of his heirs, the Times reported.

The court ruling noted that Murdoch wanted to give Lachlan permanent and exclusive control over his companies because the mogul was concerned there was a lack of consensus. among his children According to the Times report, editorial policy and content can influence the strategic direction of its companies, including possible changes.

The hearing will continue next week. More than 40 lawyers are listed on the court docket.

The first carload of attorneys began arriving an hour before Monday's hearing, carrying some boxes of legal documents up the courthouse steps with cameras and a half-dozen sheriff's deputies through a throng of reporters a few blocks south of Reno. Main casino district.

James Murdoch and his wife, Karen, and sister, Elizabeth Murdoch, arrived in separate vehicles in the same convoy of black SUVs. About 20 minutes later, Rupert Murdoch brought his wife, followed by Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah.

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Veiga reports from Los Angeles