Murdoch on "A Golden Age of Freedom"

If you are interested, as I am, on what one of the largest media publishers in the world is thinking about in regards to the present global situation you may like to listen to the Boyer Lectures on ABC Australian radio National tomorrow. The introduction goes like this:

The 2008 lecture series, A Golden Age of Freedom is presented by Mr Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, News Corporation.

On a wall in Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal office in Manhattan hangs a Russel Drysdale painting. It has travelled with him around the world. The Stockman and his Family depicts a pioneering Australia, steely and resilient in the face of solitude and hardship. Values which he feels have taken us to where we are today - one of the most prosperous and peaceful nations on Earth. But will these values see us through the times ahead?

Rupert Murdoch beholds a period of great transformation that will bring prosperity to billions around the world. This golden age of freedom will unleash a new global middle class. Markets, media and technology will all play their part.

But to reap the rewards we must make some drastic changes. A ballooning welfare state, failing state schools and full reconciliation among all Australians head his list.

Some predictable stuff, but of interest nonetheless. From tomorrow the lecture will be online for downloading and streaming from here.