Rupert Murdoch succession: reshuffle does nothing to clear up who's boss

New titles for James and Lachlan Murdoch leave doubts as to who will really lead 21st Century Fox - but brothers' double act may hasten change in voting power

Typical. You wait years to discover the winner of the great Murdoch succession race, and then you get a fudge. Rupert Murdoch will be succeeded as chief executive of 21st Century Fox by James Murdoch, according to reports, but older brother Lachlan will get the title of executive co-chairman. It will be hard to tell who's boss.

Chief executives run companies, so, on that score, James has won. On the other hand, chairmen usually have the power to fire the chief executive, so, viewed that way, Lachlan is supreme. But, just to complicate things, the 84-year-old Rupert is staying on as executive co-chairman, so perhaps nothing can be read into the job titles.