Robert James Thomson is an Australian-born British media executive and journalist, best known as the chief executive officer of News Corp since January 2013. Born in 1961 in Queensland, Australia, Thomson began his career in journalism as a cadet at The Herald in Melbourne before moving to The Australian, where he served as a correspondent in China and later as deputy editor. In 1989, he joined The Times in London, rising to become its editor from 2002 to 2007. During his tenure, he oversaw significant digital transformations and editorial changes at the newspaper. Thomson's career trajectory reflects his close professional ties to Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News Corp, under whom he has held key leadership roles.

In 2007, Thomson was appointed as the first editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal following News Corp's acquisition of Dow Jones & Company, where he focused on integrating print and digital platforms while maintaining the publication's financial journalism standards. His leadership at the Journal earned praise for innovation but also drew criticism for editorial shifts perceived as aligning more closely with Murdoch's conservative viewpoints. In 2013, he succeeded Chase Carey as CEO of News Corp, overseeing a vast portfolio that includes The Wall Street Journal, The Times, The Sun, and HarperCollins publishers. Under his stewardship, News Corp has navigated challenges such as declining print revenues, digital pivots, and controversies surrounding media ethics and political influence.

Thomson is recognized for his role in shaping global media landscapes, particularly in the transition to digital news consumption. He maintains a low public profile personally but has been involved in high-profile decisions, including responses to phone-hacking scandals and antitrust scrutiny. His influence extends through News Corp's global reach, impacting political discourse in the UK, US, and Australia.