Rupert Murdoch, News Corp's chief executive, yesterday defended himself against accusations that he had allowed political pressure from the Chinese government to influence his business decisions.

Mr Murdoch, whose family has a controlling stake in the News Corp media empire, yesterday defended his conduct in China as questions about it have become a rallying point for those seeking to derail his $5bn (£2.5bn) take-over bid for Dow Jones and its Wall Street Journal newspaper.