The New York Postislaunchinga Californiaedition. Why

Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, August 5th 2025 at 8:34 GMT by washingtonpost.com
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The new newspaper will have a dedicated staff to provide the West Coast with "serious reporting and puckish wit," a publishing executive says.

Okay, here's a comprehensive summary of the Washington Post article "California, post-New York, post-Rupert Murdoch," aiming for substantial detail and analysis while excluding details about the article’s creation process.

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The recent shift in leadership at News Corp, culminating in Lachlan Murdoch assuming the role of sole chairman and CEO, marks a significant turning point not just for the media conglomerate but also for its flagship newspapers, *The Wall Street Journal* and *New York Post*. However, the reverberations are being felt most acutely in California, where the *Post* has aggressively expanded its presence over the last few years, attempting to replicate the model that propelled it to success in New York. The article explores this ambitious expansion, the challenges encountered, and what it signals about News Corp’s broader strategy under Lachlan Murdoch's leadership – a strategy increasingly focused on local news and political influence, even if at the expense of traditional journalistic standards.

For decades, Rupert Murdoch orchestrated News Corp with an iron fist, maintaining tight control over editorial direction and business operations. His departure, while formally framed as a planned succession, represents a profound change in culture and approach. Lachlan’s leadership is characterized by a more decentralized model, granting greater autonomy to regional editors while simultaneously demanding increased profitability and political alignment. This shift has been particularly evident in California, where the *New York Post*, under the guidance of editor-in-chief Michelle Mullany, launched an ambitious expansion effort.

The initial strategy was straightforward: replicate the *Post*'s New York success by aggressively targeting a digital audience through free content, sensational headlines, and a focus on local news and political coverage. The California edition, initially conceived as a localized version of the existing paper, quickly evolved into something more aggressive – a direct competitor to established regional publications like the *Los Angeles Times* and the *San Francisco Chronicle*. The model involved hiring local reporters, often former employees of struggling legacy newspapers, and aggressively pursuing digital readership through social media and search engine optimization.

However, this rapid expansion has not been without significant challenges. The article highlights a growing disconnect between the New York headquarters’ expectations and the realities on the ground in California. While the *Post* enjoyed a resurgence in New York thanks to its embrace of tabloid sensationalism and conservative political positioning – capitalizing on perceived liberal biases within other local media – these tactics have proven less effective, and even counterproductive, in California.

California's media landscape is fundamentally different from New York’s. The state boasts a highly educated population with diverse viewpoints, many of whom are deeply skeptical of sensationalized reporting and overtly partisan narratives. The *Post*'s attempts to mimic its New York formula – often relying on clickbait headlines, inflammatory language, and an unwavering embrace of conservative talking points – have been met with resistance and criticism. The paper has struggled to gain traction among a significant portion of the California electorate, particularly in areas outside of Orange County and San Diego, which tend to be more politically conservative.

Furthermore, the article details concerns about journalistic integrity within the California *Post*. The pressure from New York to produce content that aligns with a specific political agenda has reportedly led to instances where reporters felt compelled to prioritize partisan narratives over objective reporting. The emphasis on digital metrics – page views and social media engagement – has also incentivized sensationalism and clickbait, further eroding trust among potential readers. Several experienced journalists have left the California *Post*, citing concerns about editorial independence and a perceived decline in journalistic standards.

The article suggests that Lachlan Murdoch’s hands-off approach to regional operations, while intended to foster innovation and local relevance, has inadvertently created a situation where the California *Post* is operating with limited oversight and accountability. While Mullany has been given considerable latitude to run the California edition, she also faces intense pressure from New York to deliver results – both in terms of readership and political alignment. This tension between local autonomy and corporate control has contributed to the challenges facing the paper.

The situation in California serves as a cautionary tale for News Corp’s broader strategy under Lachlan Murdoch. While the company remains committed to expanding its presence in local news markets, the experience in California demonstrates that simply replicating a successful model from one region to another is not a viable approach. Local media landscapes are unique and require nuanced understanding of audience preferences, political dynamics, and journalistic traditions.

The article also explores the broader implications for News Corp’s future. Lachlan Murdoch's focus on local news aligns with a larger trend in the media industry – a recognition that local journalism is increasingly vital to civic engagement and democratic participation. However, the California experience highlights the risks of prioritizing political alignment over journalistic integrity and audience trust. The success or failure of News Corp’s local expansion strategy will depend not only on its ability to attract readers but also on its commitment to upholding the principles of responsible journalism.

Ultimately, the article paints a picture of a media empire in transition, grappling with the challenges of succession, technological disruption, and evolving audience expectations. The California *Post* experiment represents both an opportunity and a risk – a chance for News Corp to solidify its position as a leading provider of local news but also a potential pitfall if it fails to adapt its approach to the unique realities of each market. The future success of Lachlan Murdoch’s leadership will hinge on his ability to balance corporate ambitions with journalistic values, and to recognize that simply replicating past successes is not a recipe for long-term sustainability in an increasingly complex media landscape. The California venture, therefore, becomes a crucial test case for the entire News Corp enterprise.

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Read the Full washingtonpost.com Article at:
[ https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/08/04/california-post-new-york-post-rupert-murdoch/ ]

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The New York Postislaunchinga Californiaedition. Why