Pension fund investor Hermes Equity Ownership Services said on Friday that it intends to withhold its support for the three Murdochs on the News Corp board, namely Rupert and his two sons James and Lachlan, at an upcoming AGM.

Hermes made clear that the phone-hacking scandal involving the group's British newspaper subsidiary News International had prompted it to enhance its scrutiny of governance and boardroom composition at the business.

"News Corp has not reacted with sufficient urgency to investor concerns about its board composition and corporate culture," said Hermes director Jennifer Walmsley in a statement.

"The time is right for the company to appoint an independent chairman to rebuild trust, help correct the governance discount, and ensure that the interests of all investors are properly represented."

The scale of influence held by members of the Murdoch family at News Corp has long been a source of concern among investors, with Rupert Murdoch established as both chairman and CEO and his son James widely regarded, at least until recently, as his heir apparent.