🔗 Share this article

The planet's richest individual owns the X network.

The family of the second wealthiest individual manages the Paramount media empire, which then owns the CBS network, and might eventually acquire Warner Brothers, which owns CNN.

The third wealthiest person controls Facebook, the Instagram app and WhatsApp.

The number four billionaire person owns that prominent newspaper and Amazon MGM Studios.

Another ultra-rich individual controls the Fox News channel, that financial newspaper and the New York Post.

What is the motive are the ultra-rich acquiring a significant portion of the media? Pride might be one reason, but there's a more pragmatic – some might say alarming – reason.

If you are among the ultra-rich, you could perceive the democratic process as a potential threat to your wealth accumulation. Ownership of a major stake of the declining number of journalistic platforms would allow you to effectively hedge from democratic pressures by muting dissent of you and wealthy elites, and discouraging any attempt to – for example – redistribute your fortune.

The Trump Factor

You must also contend with Donald Trump. In his second term, Trump has openly and unlawfully used the authority of the executive branch to punish his enemies and reward those who lavish him with praise and profits.

So maybe it wasn't unexpected that the editors of the Amazon founder's Washington Post justified the destruction of the White House section to build Trump his grand hall – failing to reveal that Jeff Bezos-owned the tech giant is a significant financial backer to the construction costs. The Post's editorial board commended the military's decision to develop a new generation of compact nuclear power units, but neglected to disclose the company's investment in an energy company, a enterprise that's designing small nuclear reactors. And it questioned Washington DC's resistance to driverless cars without disclosing that Amazon's self-driving car company was seeking access to the Washington DC market.

These violations are unforgivable.

Oracle Founder's Role

It's very similar with the family of the Oracle founder, creator of the software firm Oracle Corporation and the number two billionaire. Ellison is a longtime supporter of Trump who also, according to court records, was involved in a discussion to consider how his 2020 election defeat could be disputed.

In mid-2025, the tech mogul's firm were financial backers of Trump's military parade in the capital. During that period, the Ellisons were expecting the telecommunications regulator to greenlight their $8bn acquisition with the media conglomerate, owner of the news division.

In the period before the sale, some leadership at CBS News and its flagship 60 Minutes quit, citing concerns over the network's ability to preserve journalistic integrity, and exposing influence by the parent company to tamp down reports critical of Trump. Regardless. Vast sums were involved.

Results and Concessions

In mid-year, the media company paid $16m to resolve the former president's legal action against CBS and terminated Colbert's show, to the former president's satisfaction. Shortly after the settlement was announced, Trump supporter the FCC chair, chair of the regulatory agency, gave the go-ahead for the billionaires' acquisition, making David top executive of the media conglomerate Paramount Skydance and placing him in charge of CBS News.

In October, Ellison selected the conservative writer a controversial figure the head of news, even though she was inexperienced in either television or news reporting. Recently, it was disclosed that CBS News doctored Trump's newest news segment, cutting his boast that the network "gave me a large sum".

A Lost Era of Independence

Historians note when CBS News maintained its integrity to a charismatic but dangerous leader. But that was when the news division – the home of Murrow and Walter Cronkite – was separate from the broader network, and when the top management of CBS had a distinct mission to the citizens.

It is difficult to ascertain the full extent to which opposition reporting and his team has been suppressed by the media-owning billionaires, or what positive stories has been generated.

The Business of Media

But what we are aware of is that wealthy proprietors like Musk, Bezos, Ellison and Murdoch are businessmen primarily. Their highest goal is not journalism but to maximize revenue. They know Trump can wreak havoc on their businesses by imposing restrictive policies, applying employment regulations on their companies or refusing them profitable public deals.

And in an time when riches is accumulated in the hands of a handful of people who have bought up influential platforms, with a sensitive leader who is willing and able to disregard regulations and standards to harm or help, there is a growing danger that the people will not be obtaining the accurate information it requires to participate in this democracy.

What Can Be Done?

How should we respond?

Firstly, media outlets should inform their readers about all possible biases, and journalistic monitors and ethical organizations should make certain they comply.

An additional idea (if and when) the leadership changes) is that anti-monopoly authorities not approve the purchase of a prominent news organization by someone with extensive businesses that could create biased reporting.

Takeover of a media company should be handled uniquely than the acquisition of, for instance, a company designing driverless cars or {one|