Rupert Murdoch is locked in a secret legal battle against three of his children over the future of the family’s media empire, as he moves to preserve it as a conservative political force after his death, according to a sealed court document obtained by The New York Times.

Mr. Murdoch, 93, set the drama in motion late last year, when he made a surprise move to change the terms of the Murdochs’ irrevocable family trust to ensure that his eldest son and chosen successor, Lachlan, would remain in charge of his vast collection of television networks and newspapers.

Rupert Murdoch is engaged in a legal fight with some of his children, as he tries to hand control of his media empire to his eldest son, Lachlan, a battle with major ramifications for the future of the mogul’s two companies.

Murdoch, 93 years old, controls a trust that holds the family’s substantial stakes in News Corp NWSA 1.06%increase; green up pointing triangle, parent of The Wall Street Journal, and Fox News parent Fox Corp. Under its terms, when Murdoch dies, voting control would pass to four children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence.

Rupert Murdoch is involved in a legal battle with his children over his plans to hand over his global media empire to son Lachlan, according to a report. 

The fight for power between the 93-year-old mogul's four eldest children appeared to be decided when Lachlan emerged as the designated heir.  

But Murdoch is now fighting to extend his eldest son's voting power in the Murdoch Family Trust, the New York Times reported. 

Wall Street Journal owner News Corp struck a major content-licensing pact with the generative artificial-intelligence company OpenAI, aiming to cash in on a technology that promises to have a profound impact on the news-publishing industry. 

Rupert Murdoch's decision to step down as chair of both his global television and publishing empires Thursday marks the start of a new world order in media.

Why it matters: In naming his eldest son Lachlan as his successor, Murdoch, 92, has ensured that Fox Corp.'s and News Corp.'s conservative editorial bent will live on — but maybe not forever.

The appointment of Lachlan Murdoch as chairman of Fox and News Corp solidifies his position as one of the most powerful media barons in the world.

What do we know about Rupert Murdoch's eldest son and successor?

A British-American in Australia

Lachlan Murdoch, 52, is one of three children Rupert Murdoch had with his second wife, Scottish journalist Anna Maria dePeyster.

Australian business magnate Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chairman of Fox Corp and News Corp, ending a decadeslong reign that will be passed onto his son, the company announced Thursday.

The transition to Lachlan Murdoch’s leadership as sole chair of News Corp will be effective in mid-November. Lachlan, 52, will continue to serve as executive chair and chief executive officer of Fox Corp, Fox News Corp said. Rupert Murdoch, 92, will serve as chairman emeritus.

Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chair of Fox and News Corp, after building a media empire over seven decades that revolutionized news and entertainment and made him one of the world’s most influential and controversial tycoons.