For some families, directing the media landscape is as routine as a Sunday roast.
As a devoted admirer and observer within this field, I’ve noticed that for quite some time, it has been the tradition for many young ones to embark on careers in journalism, broadcasting, or production, often following in the footsteps of their esteemed family members who have paved the way before them.
As a self-proclaimed enthusiast of all things media, I find myself constantly noticing a handful of illustrious names cropping up in my daily dose of news across various platforms – be it the newspaper, television, or radio. But, have you ever wondered who these prominent Australian media dynasties truly are? The answer, my friends, lies ahead!
Leading the pack is, of course, the Murdochs.
As an unwavering enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the immense influence and global renown of the Murdoch empire, a dynasty that has been shaping newspapers, television, and digital platforms for close to a century. It’s become public knowledge now that a significant portion of News Corp’s earnings stem from sources beyond media.
Sir Keith Murdoch established the base of his family’s dynasty. Originally, he worked as a journalist but later transitioned into owning newspapers.
Through expansion, Rupert Murdoch, his son, took his father’s small Adelaide newspaper and transformed it into the multinational media conglomerate now known as News Corporation.
A prominent entrepreneur established a group of influential media entities such as The Australian, Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, along with significant broadcasting networks like Fox News and Sky News.
The powerful business tycoon launched a collection of impactful news platforms, which encompassed The Australian, Herald Sun, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, as well as notable television networks such as Fox News and Sky News.
The elder son, Lachlan, is deeply involved in the family business, holding the position of CEO at Fox Corporation and sharing the leadership role as co-chair at News Corp., with a strong connection to Australia among all the siblings.
As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but share my enthusiasm for James, the youngest child, who once held the esteemed position as the CEO of 21st Century Fox. However, he chose to part ways with that illustrious role and instead embark on a new journey by establishing his own thriving investment firm.
The oldest child, Prudence, is actively engaged in the family business, serving on boards within News Corp, notably in their UK newspaper sector. Conversely, the youngest daughter, Elisabeth, has thrived as a television executive and founder of the Shine Group, which was purchased by News Corporation for approximately $645 million in 2011.
A new member from the fourth generation of the Murdoch family has entered their family business: Lachlan’s son, Aidan (age 19), started an unpaid internship within the News Corp newsroom last year.
Regarding Lachlan’s managerial style, historically, people have characterized him as more forward-thinking compared to his father. However, it appears that he has shifted towards a more traditional approach recently, given the general knowledge of his increasing conservatism as he’s grown older.
Despite what’s being said, News Corp editors claim that he generally keeps a non-interventionist stance, seldom involving himself in the political affairs of his publications or exerting his personal views.
Instead, this stands in marked opposition to the way former editor Eric Beecher portrayed Rupert as someone who manipulated politicians, guided editors, and influenced editorial content during his trips to Australia.
Instead of his father, Lachlan appears more susceptible to criticism. He famously attempted and later withdrew legal action against the website Crikey over a flimsy accusation linking him to the Capitol riots. A 2005 New York Magazine article also reported that young Lachlan was considered sensitive or easily hurt, as he had a thin skin.
Rupert, by contrast, rarely sues for defamation, no matter the provocation.
The Switzer family are newcomers to the media game.
The Switzer Group, established by renowned financial commentator Peter Switzer alongside his wife Maureen Jordan, who transitioned from law to publishing, is primarily recognized for providing financial guidance, wealth management, retirement planning, and investment solutions.
In essence, the core of the business lies here, but it’s important to note that the family is equally renowned for their media publishing division, Switzer Media. This division is spearheaded by Alex Switzer, who happens to be Peter and Maureen’s son.
Through licensing agreements with Hearst, they are authorized to print multiple editions of popular glossy magazines, such as Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Women’s Health.
Working under the Switzers has received varied feedback from seasoned magazine professionals, as Harper’s has seen three editor changes and a significant portion of its initial team departing within the past four years following its re-launch.
Harper’s Magazine has received some negative feedback due to the gentle, rather than probing, nature of their interviews with celebrities on the cover, leaving readers wanting more in-depth insights into these public figures.
According to a previous staff member, they are neither journalists nor editors; instead, they are accountants (when speaking about the individuals in question), as reported by Daily Mail.
‘In preparation for the re-launch, Jordan was considering featuring Shemara Wikramanayake, Macquarie Bank’s managing director, on the cover. Alternatively, she might opt for an image of a Chanel No. 5 bottle instead.’
This year, Jordan held the position of ‘Editorial Director’ on Harper’s staff, alongside her role as the publisher. This dual position hints at her active involvement within the organization.
Another famous surname on the premium side of the news business is Schwartz.
Schwartz Media, located in Melbourne, is home to The Saturday Paper (weekly newspaper), The Monthly (current affairs magazine), and the Australian Foreign Affairs publication.
As a dedicated lifestyle expert, I’m excited to share an update about one of my favorite daily news podcasts – 7am. Previously, our company held ownership over this engaging platform, but as of June, we’ve passed the torch to Solstice Media. Rest assured, the new owners have expressed their commitment to maintaining the current team and format that you’ve come to enjoy. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for 7am!
In December 2023, Morry Schwartz, a past property developer who’s married to renowned gallery owner Anna, chose to relinquish his role in the daily management of the business.
During that period, there were murmurs about strained relationships between journalists and their superiors, with a focus on the sensitive subject of Israel being considered taboo.
It was initially suggested in a 2021 book written by John Lyons that Schwartz titles refrain from impartial reporting on the Israel-Palestine conflict and that their coverage is influenced by the owner’s views.
Schwartz Media has consistently rejected such proposals, maintaining its stance as an autonomous business with great pride. It’s important to note that we are in agreement with this assertion.
The Lavigne-Freedmans are equally impressive, as Jason Lavigne, in partnership with his wife Mia Freedman, are the visionaries behind the women’s media company, Mamamia.
Originally, Mia, who studied at the private all-girls institution Ascham, kick-started her professional journey within magazine publishing and was appointed as the youngest editor of Cosmopolitan Australia at the tender age of 24.
After graduating from Ascham, a prestigious girls’ school, Mia started working in magazines, eventually becoming the youngest editor for Cosmopolitan Australia when she was just 24 years old.
At the start of her professional journey, she received guidance from ex-editor of Cleo, Lisa Wilkinson. Later on, Mia reciprocated this mentorship by offering Billi FitzSimons, Lisa’s daughter, her initial position as a writer at Mamamia.
Jason and Mia’s son Luca Lavigne has also joined the family business.
Born and raised observing his parents transform their business from a simple blog, the ex-Merivale bartender joined Mamamia in 2016 shortly after graduating from school. In quick succession, he climbed the corporate ladder, progressing from a writer to business development manager, then head of product, and ultimately, chief operating officer.
I’ve proudly upheld our shared connections as Luca and I sealed them further by marrying Jessie Stephens, the esteemed executive editor at Mamamia.
Other notable media families…
Shifting focus from individual owners to well-known Australian media families, let’s talk about the Willesee family who have been active in various aspects of media such as television, print, and radio for over five decades.
The eminent television journalist and host, the late Mike Willesee Sr, can be found perched at the summit of the tree. Starting his career with the ABC as a co-host on Four Corners, he later transitioned to commercial TV, working for Nine (A Current Affair) and Seven (Willesee at Seven).
Mike has a younger brother named Terry who was employed as both a journalist and TV presenter for Seven and Nine networks. Meanwhile, their sibling Mary held roles as a reporter and radio broadcaster.
The succession carries on with Mike Willesee Jr., the son of Mike Sr., a seasoned journalist who previously worked at Sky News Australia, Seven News, and A Current Affair. Later in his career, he shifted towards corporate communications.
Her spouse, Allison Langdon, is equally notable in the television industry. She primarily gained recognition for co-hosting the Today show on Nine with Karl Stefanovic from 2020 until 2023. In 2023, she was elevated to the position of host for A Current Affair.
Or simply:
Allison Langdon, his wife, is a well-known figure in TV, having co-hosted the Today show on Nine with Karl Stefanovic from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, she took over as host of A Current Affair.
Mike Jr.’s sibling, Amy, is a journalist and author, contributing her work to newspapers like The Sydney Morning Herald and The Monthly.
Next up is the Fordhams, a prominent name in both broadcasting and management.
John Fordham, often referred to as the top-tier manager, was renowned for his work. He managed some of Australia’s most prominent figures in media and entertainment through his company, The Fordham Company.
It’s thought that the renowned figure from Sydney may have facilitated Ben’s employment opportunities with his client, John Laws, at 2UE radio, and subsequently at the Nine Network as well.
For quite some time, Ben served as a correspondent for Nine’s A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, and the Today Show. Later, he assumed the role on 2GB’s morning program.
He’s wed to Jodie Speers, formerly a respected news anchor at Seven Network, who stepped down from her role in 2024 to focus on earning a law degree.
Nick, who is Ben’s younger brother, followed his father’s career path by assuming control of the Fordham Company and becoming a talent representative, working with famous celebrities.
Max Markson, a renowned celebrity agent known for his dynamic PR agency Markson Sparks, has been a pillar of the Australian media landscape since the 1980s.
He’s handled clients ranging from Lara Bingle to Corey Worthington and the Chk-Chk-Boom Chick, and arranged four Australian speaking engagements each for Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
His daughter, Sharri Markson, is an award-winning journalist, having previously held the position of investigations editor at The Australian. Now, she presents her own show on Sky News.
The Stefanovic family name also carries considerable weight.
First and foremost there’s long-serving Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic.
For sixteen years, he was the leader of the consistently runner-up breakfast show on Channel Nine, and during that time, he additionally worked on A Current Affair, 60 Minutes, and Nine News.
Apart from him, his brother Peter Stefanovic is equally proficient in journalism, particularly in broadcasting. At Nine Network, he served as a foreign correspondent and later became the co-host of Weekend Today, while Karl hosted the weekday edition. This setup provided viewers with daily coverage of the Stefanovics.
In the year 2018, I bid farewell to my previous role, and the very next year, I found myself joining Sky News Australia. There, I took on the lead role for their morning show, titled First Edition.
Peter is wedded to Sylvia Jeffreys, who currently co-hosts the morning program “Today Extra” on Nine, and previously worked alongside Karl as a newsreader for the show “Today.
In the past, Tom Stefanovic, Karl and Peter’s sibling, worked as a cameraman for Channel Nine. Meanwhile, their relative Katarina Stefanovic served as a news reporter for Channel Nine in Far North Queensland before transitioning into a producer role at A Current Affair.
The McGuires similarly establish a small empire within their family, with Eddie ‘Everywhere’ McGuire holding the position of a prominent media personality, recognized extensively across Australia.
Eddie started out as a cadet sports reporter at The Herald before moving into TV.
He began his career at Nine as a reporter, eventually ascending to the position of CEO between 2006 and 2007. During this time, he was also responsible for presenting popular shows such as The Footy Show and Millionaire Hot Seat in the entertainment sector.
Outside of Nine, he is a longtime radio broadcaster, most notably with Triple M.
Eddie is associated with his elder sibling, Frank McGuire – a previous journalist for ABC and Nine, who has been honored with two Walkley Awards in the field of investigative journalism. Following this accomplishment, he transitioned into politics.
Following a brief interest in acting, Eddie’s oldest son, Xander McGuire, chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and entered the field of broadcast journalism in 2022. He secured a position as a sports reporter at Nine that year.
In 2025, he moved to Channel Seven where his AFL coverage earned industry praise.
The Wilkinson-FitzSimons are another elite media family that needs no introduction.
Lisa Wilkinson is a well-known Australian journalist who previously hosted the Today show on Nine for ten years and has since transitioned to working on The Project on Ten.
Previously at the helm of Cleo magazine, this individual has additionally penned opinion pieces, moderated talk radio programs, and released an autobiography titled “Not Intended to Happen This Way.
She’s married to Peter FitzSimons, a renowned author, historian, and frequent contributor to The Sydney Morning Herald as a columnist.
The children later joined the same profession, with Jake FitzSimons having previously worked for the Sydney Morning Herald.
In a notable progression, Billie FitzSimons, the daughter in question, initially worked as a content producer at Mamamia, which is owned by Mia Freedman, her mother’s former mentor. Now, she serves as the editor for The Daily Aus, a popular youth outlet with a social-first focus.
The Kohler family continues to thrive as a powerful force in the media industry, with Alan Kohler leading the way as a respected financial journalist, editor, and television commentator.
I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and exhilaration as I share this news – my beloved Deborah Forster, my partner in life and literature, has been recognized among the best! She, my incredible wife, was nominated for the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award. Her talent and dedication to storytelling know no bounds, and it’s a privilege to be connected with such an accomplished wordsmith.
As a lifestyle expert, I’m proud to share that my son, Chris Kohler, graces the role of finance editor at Nine News. He’s gained quite a reputation for himself with his engaging viral videos, which deftly dissect complex housing and economic issues in a manner that resonates with everyday people like you and me.
Of course, it’s hard to overlook the Blakes, a notable Australian family known for their extensive involvement in media, boasting several generations of journalists and media leaders.
William Blake’s heritage traces back to him being an innovative journalist for Truth newspapers in Melbourne and Adelaide during the mid-1900s.
The tradition set by Peter Blake – a former employee at Murdoch’s New York Post who passed away – was carried on by his siblings. Terry Blake, a deceased pioneer behind the satirical Kings Cross Whisper, also followed in their footsteps. Patrick Blake, now a production editor for Tempo at The Sun-Herald, and Julie Blake (Flannery), who co-founded Media Monitors and is married to journalist Sean Flannery, are among them. They all contributed significantly to their respective fields before their demise.
Patrick is wedded to Suzanne Blake, a prominent Sydney publicist who used to be betrothed to the ex-editor and CEO of Packer, Trevor Kennedy.
The upcoming group consists of Sarah Blake, a journalist for The Sunday Telegraph, and Emma Blake, who previously worked as a finance reporter for both Crikey and The Daily Telegraph.
The grandkids of William Blake, specifically John Flannery and Joseph Kerr, maintained the Blake family’s influence within the Australian media scene.
Additionally, the Wilson family has left an indelible impression. Notably, the late Bruce Wilson was highly respected in the field of sports journalism.
Throughout a five-decade span, Bruce’s professional journey included writing for newspapers like The Herald, The Sun, and The Herald Sun. Frequently, he reported news from different parts of the world.
In the realm of broadcasting, Jim Wilson worked for the Seven Network, while his late sister Rebecca Wilson made her mark as a respected sports journalist. Their sister Lizzie Wilson previously served as a Queensland correspondent for Woman’s Day.
The journalism career of Tom Sacre, son of Rebecca and television producer Howard Sacre, carries on the family legacy at 7News.
The Harvey dynasty rounds out our list.
Peter Harvey, a well-known Australian journalist and radio host, spent many years working for Nine and was famously recognized by his signature sign-off “Peter Harvey, Canberra.” Sadly, he passed away in 2013 at the age of 68.
He wedded Anne Harvey, and their union produced Claire and Adam, who are both notable figures within the media world, having significantly shaped it with their contributions.
Claire has been working in journalism for 30 years and held the position of deputy editor at The Sunday Telegraph, whereas Adam is an award-winning journalist twice over, recognized particularly for his projects at ABC’s 7.30 program.
He is married to Eliza Harvey, a presenter on ABC’s Weekend Breakfast.
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2025-08-27 17:37