New Corp., Rupert Murdoch’s media giant, reported Thursday a 6.41 billion U.S. dollar loss in the second quarter of its fiscal year.

News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch leaves the New York Stock Exchange October 10, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

Excluding the 8.4 billion dollars asset write-down and other factors, the company said its net income in the three months to Dec. 31, 2008 was 320 million dollars, or 12 cents per share.

In the same period of previous year, the company had net income of 832 million dollars, or 27 cents per share.

“Our results for the quarter are a direct reflection of the grim economic climate,” Murdoch said in a statement.

“While we anticipated a weakening, the downturn is more severe and likely longer lasting than previously thought,” he added.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet