Jon Stewart's Explanation of Rupert Murdoch

Over the Christmas break, I wandered into a Barnes and Noble and found an intriguing book. I almost bought it, but then I remembered I'm a poor college student with little money to spare (for now).

It's called The Man who Owns The News: Inside the Secret World of Rupert Murdoch, and is written by Michael Wolff, a writer for Vanity Fair. The book delves into Murdoch's media empire, as well as his personal life.

As we discussed in our class, Murdoch's vast media empire includes The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and the venerable Fox News. Pretty powerful guy, right?

Not if you ask Jon Stewart.

Wolff appeared on The Daily Show last night as he and Stewart discussed the book and the source of Murdoch's power.

Wolff claims that Murdoch is "is the most powerful man for the longest period in our era".

Stewart, who famously and frequently takes jabs at Fox News, says that Murdoch is not inherently powerful himself, but is merely a tool of powerful people.

"The leaders in power can always find a Rupert," Stewart said.

So, what do you think? Are Rupert Murdochs born or made? Could any of us in our class become a media mogul by sheer work and determination, or do we have to be chosen by the powers that be? Would we even want to yield that kind of power or be subject to that kind of scrutiny?

I reckon I'll have to read the book to find out for myself. In any case, it looks like another interesting ideological debate between Jon Stewart and Fox News. Let's get it on!