James Murdoch steps down as head of NI By Salamander Davoudi February 29, 2012 -- Updated 1457 GMT (2257 HKT) James Murdoch is stepping down as executive chairman of News International. James Murdoch would step down as executive chairman of News International Company said he would now focus on expansion of international TV business London (Financial Times) -- News Corp has moved to distance James Murdoch from its troubled newspaper brands in the UK announcing that he would step down as executive chairman of News International. "James Murdoch, deputy chief operating officer, has relinquished his position as executive chairman of News International, its UK publishing unit," News Corp said in a statement. Tom Mockridge, chief executive officer of News International, will continue in his post and will report to News Corporation president and COO [chief operating officer] Chase Carey. The company said he would now focus on the expansion of the international TV business. Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive, News Corp, said: "We are all grateful for James' leadership at News International and across Europe and Asia, where he has made lasting contributions to the group's strategy in paid digital content and its efforts to improve and enhance governance programs."