Incoming News Limited CEO Kim Williams says Australian politicians need to toughen up and get over their glass jaws.

Foxtel CEO Mr Williams was yesterday named to take over from John Hartigan, who is resigning as CEO after nine years at the helm and after weeks of rumours about his resignation.

Mr Williams has played down suggestions he has been brought in to repair the company's relationship with the Federal Government.

Federal ministers and the Greens have accused News Limited papers of bias and being a "threat to democracy", but Mr Williams says the papers are just being "robust".

"A free and independent media must always examine government and oppositions, and do so confidently and independently," he said.

"I think we have a kind of national glass jaw syndrome in a lot of political life at the moment, and that is to be regretted."

Mr Williams says he will look at expanding the paywall for the company's online newspapers.

"Well I certainly bring skills in managing a subscription enterprise, that is obviously a skill set I have developed over the last 10 years," he said.

Mr Hartigan has played down the timing of his resignation, which comes as the company prepares to face scrutiny from the Federal Government's media inquiry.

He told Lateline there were a number of factors in his decision to leave.

"There are always things. There is a media inquiry next week which I will be appearing at. They are all part of the rich fabric of being in this industry," he said.

"So my timing is made by a whole host of things, but most of all the fact that we have got such a solid succession plan."

This morning Mr Hartigan told AM he wanted to retire nine years ago.

"My departure is connected to nothing other than my desire to move on and refresh our management," he said.

"Media companies are in a transitional period and our company is, and we are very well positioned for that.

"I am delighted to hand it onto someone as capable as Kim."

'Immensely proud'

Mr Hartigan has worked for News for 41 years, starting as a reporter for the Daily Mirror in Sydney, and has held the top job at the company since 2000.

He said in a statement released yesterday that he felt privileged "to have worked for such a great company".

"I am immensely proud of News ... I want to thank the many colleagues that have helped, encouraged, inspired and challenged me to be the best I can be," he said.

"As a reporter, I worked with some great editors; as an editor, I worked with incredibly talented people; and as a senior executive, I could not have asked for a better management team.

"I am indebted to the millions of readers who buy our newspapers every day and to our advertisers for their great support.

"In Rupert [Murdoch], I have been fortunate to work for a proprietor who cares passionately about journalism and the vital role that a free press plays in a democracy."

Mr Murdoch, who will take over as News Limited chairman, thanked Mr Hartigan for his leadership.

"John was an outstanding reporter, an editor with few peers, and has been an inspiring executive," he said.

"Few people have contributed as much as John to the quality of journalism in Australia. He has earned enormous respect among both colleagues and competitors."