News Corp Launches California Post: A New Conservative Voice in California
News Corp, led by Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, has introduced the California Post, a new conservative tabloid newspaper and digital platform. This venture aims to deliver a "digital first" news experience, complemented by a daily print edition, focusing on state-specific issues, celebrity news, and sports, all through a conservative lens.
Digital-First Approach with Print Edition
The California Post operates as a new US conservative tabloid, founded by News Corp. It is strategically aligned with other News Corp media properties, including the New York Post, Fox News, and the Wall Street Journal. Designed with a "digital first" philosophy, the platform integrates social media, video, and audio content. A daily print edition is also available for $US3.75.
Editorial Stance and Content Pillars
Editor-in-chief Nick Papps stated that the newsroom, staffed by 80 to 100 individuals, will dedicate its coverage to issues pertinent to "everyday, hardworking" Californians. Primary topics include homelessness, affordability, technology, and "law and order."
"The newsroom... will concentrate on issues relevant to 'everyday, hardworking' Californians."
The California Post will additionally feature a "Page Six Hollywood" gossip column for celebrity culture updates and extensive sports reporting, covering major league teams, the World Cup, and the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
News Corp CEO Robert Thomson articulated the paper's goal to engage readers with "serious reporting and puckish wit," and to confront what he termed "jaundiced, jaded journalism" in California. The publication is characterized by its conservative editorial stance and a combative style, drawing comparisons to the New York Post.
"The new paper's objective is to engage readers with 'serious reporting and puckish wit' and address what he described as 'jaundiced, jaded journalism' in California."
Strategic Move in a Shifting Landscape
This launch takes place in California, a state predominantly a Democratic Party stronghold. The publication is expected to target figures such as Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential nominee who previously sued another Murdoch entity, Fox, for defamation. Progressive elements within Hollywood are also anticipated subjects of the California Post's coverage.
The decision to launch a new print newspaper, even with a strong digital emphasis, runs counter to broader industry trends, where over 3,200 print and digital publications have closed nationwide since 2005. Rupert Murdoch has consistently shown a preference for print media. Notably, the Los Angeles area has historically lacked a dedicated regional tabloid.
The timing of the launch also aligns with the complex relationship between Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. This includes a US$10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal regarding its reporting on an alleged letter from Trump, and reported meetings between Murdoch and Trump. Rupert Murdoch was not an investor in the US division spin-off of TikTok, a venture linked to billionaire Larry Ellison.
Gabriel Kahn, a professor at the University of Southern California, observed that the California Post's combative style and conservative viewpoint could significantly influence the state's media landscape. Kahn suggested the publication might prioritize content optimized for social media engagement, and also indicated that the New York Post does not serve as a primary profit generator for News Corp.
"The California Post's combative style and conservative viewpoint could influence the state's media landscape."