Amid a Plethora of Parodies, MySpace Has Become His

The young hipsters who congregate on MySpace.com are known for posting revealing information about themselves. So when Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. announced this week that it had agreed buy the popular social networking website’s parent company for $580 million, pranksters rushed to set up phony profiles of the 74-year-old media tycoon.

In keeping with the site’s subversive tone, listed among his general interests are “World domination,” “Games, specifically Monopoly” and “Making Ted Turner squirm,” referring to his rivalry with the CNN founder.

Under musical preferences, one says, “Yes, money is music to my ears.”

“I encourage my television and radio stations to become Republican soapboxes,” another profile says, adding, “There are important benefits to fascism.”

The site is one of the most popular among teens, and spoofs are common. There are hundreds for President Bush, and such celebrities as Britney Spears are parodied.

Many of the postings about Murdoch, who controls such businesses as Fox’s TV and film empire and the New York Post, are crass. Others take jabs at the mogul’s family, the Fox News Channel and his conservative politics.

In announcing the acquisition of MySpace parent Intermix Media Inc., News Corp. President Peter Chernin vowed to protect the uncensored site.

“If we try to impose our own sensibilities on MySpace, it would be a dopey thing to do,” he said.

News Corp. spokeswoman Teri Everett said the company was aware of the Murdoch profiles.

“But asking for their removal is something we wouldn’t consider,” she said.

Late Wednesday, more than 300 MySpace users were signed up as Murdoch friends, including “Gangsta,” “Bejeezus,” “Lady Love” and “Dr. Teeth.”

Most asked for money. A few wanted movie parts.