Rupert Murdoch reportedly instructed his editors to "kill Whitlam" before the fall of the Labor government in 1975.



Fairfax media has reported that the News Corporation chief's directive regarding former Labor leader Gough Whitlam is revealed in a 1975 diplomatic report from the US.



The telegram from the US consul-general in Melbourne, Robert Brand, reported to the state department that "Rupert Murdoch has issued [a] confidential instruction to editors of newspapers he controls to 'Kill Whitlam' ".



Brand made it clear that the words "kill Whitlam" were used in a political context and not as a physical threat, Fairfax says.



Brand noted that Murdoch had previously supported Whitlam's election but his publishing empire turned against the leader.



"If Murdoch attack directed against Whitlam personally this could presage hard times for prime minister; but if against Labor government would be dire news for party," the telegram reportedly said.



The directive came 10 months before Whitlam's dismissal by the governor general.



Comment was being sought from News Corp Australia.

