Murdoch passes the baton to sons at Fox group

New York

MEDIA conglomerate 21st Century Fox announced on Tuesday that Rupert Murdoch's two sons would assume new leadership roles in the company, continuing the elder Murdoch's plans to keep control of the company in his family.

The appointments, effective July 1, had been telegraphed to investors and analysts for months, and were widely reported last week in advance of a company board meeting on Tuesday morning.

James Murdoch, 42, will become chief executive at 21st Century Fox, succeeding his father, while Lachlan Murdoch, 43, will be executive co-chairman. The entertainment company in…