LONDON —Once his father’s heir apparent, James Murdoch stepped down Tuesday as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting, surrendering one of the biggest jobs in the Murdoch media empire.
James Murdoch’s competence and credibility have come under severe questioning because of the telephone- hacking and alleged bribery scandal at the defunct News of the World tabloid and other British newspapers where he was supposed to be in charge.
“I am aware that my role as chairman could become a lightning rod for BSkyB, and I believe that my resignation will help to ensure that there is no false conflation with events at a separate organization,” said the 39-year-old Murdoch, who remains a nonexecutive member of the BSkyB board.
He also remains deputy chief operating officer of News Corp., his father Rupert’s global media firm, and chairman and chief executive of the company’s international division.
Nicholas Ferguson, formerly deputy chairman, moved up to replace the younger Murdoch as chairman at BSkyB. Tom Mockridge, who recently replaced James Murdoch at News International, the British newspaper group, gained a new title of deputy chairman of BSkyB.
Tuesday’s announcement was the latest in a string of setbacks for James Murdoch. At the end of February, he quit as chairman of News International so he could be based in New York and concentrate on News Corp. broadcasting interests.
“James Murdoch is a very good TV man,” said media consultant Paul Connew.
