The relationship between extreme wealth and a free press has long shaped American power. In recent years, this influence has become more concentrated. A small group of tech founders, investors and industry heirs now control or influence some of the country’s most visible newsrooms, magazines and broadcast outlets.
What was once dominated by ancient publishing families has evolved into a media landscape increasingly shaped by modern billionaires with interests that go far beyond journalism. The decisions of owners like Jeff Bezos, David Ellison, and Marc Benioff can affect newsroom direction and audience trust. Wealth has become an increasingly powerful force in the media ecosystem, shaping the content people consume and the institutions that deliver it.
Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, and David Ellison, founder of Skydance Media
Net worth: 290 billion dollars
Owned publication: CBS News
David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, entered the world of media and entertainment with the founding of Skydance Media in 2006. He has reshaped the industry with Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Global last year — a deal largely financed by Larry Ellison — and the more recent (pending) acquisition of Paramount Global. Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Paramount-Skydance merger gives the Ellison family control of the Paramount portfolio, including CBS News, providing a direct line to national broadcast journalism. Under Ellison’s ownership, CBS News shifted toward a more center-right stance, along with significant executive changes, including the appointment of conservative journalist Barry Weiss as editor-in-chief.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon
Net worth: 240 billion dollars
Owned publication: The Washington Post
Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million, marking a turning point in how tech giants approached legacy journalism. Under his ownership, the newspaper expanded its digital architecture and global operations, resulting in an increase in traffic and subscriptions in late 2010.
Bezos has maintained a largely ineffective editorial approach, although his ownership remains central to discussions about corporate influence. In February 2025, after Trump was elected president, Bezos pushed the opinion pages of The Washington Post to emphasize “personal freedoms and free markets,” a move widely seen as a shift to the right.
The newspaper has faced political and financial pressure: In 2024, it lost at least 250,000 subscribers after refusing to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The newspaper reported a loss of $100 million in 2025, and in February 2026, it underwent a major restructuring that included laying off more than 300 journalists.
Separately, speculation emerged last year that Bezos planned to acquire Vogue magazine as a gift to his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, although all parties, including Anna Wintour, have rejected the claim.
Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP
Net worth: $109 billion
Owned publication: Bloomberg Media
Michael Bloomberg founded Bloomberg LP in 1981 and launched Bloomberg News in 1990. What started as a financial data company has evolved into a global media operation with thousands of journalists across digital, television, radio and print channels. Bloomberg maintains tight control over the company, which continues to expand. It recently surpassed 700,000 paid subscribers with revenue increasing year over year.
Rupert Murdoch, founder of News Corp
Net worth: $21.6 billion
Owned publications: Wall Street Journal, New York Post, The Sun
Rupert Murdoch founded News Corp in 1980 and built one of the most influential media empires in the English-speaking world. Through News Corp and its affiliated entities, the Murdoch family has shaped political and cultural discourse for decades.
Its holdings include The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, and The Sun in the UK. The company remains profitable Reporting income of $121 million from continuing operations On $2.19 billion in revenue last quarter.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, inventor of the cancer drug Abraxane
Net worth: $16.4 billion
Owned publications: Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune
Patrick Soon-Shiong acquired the Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune in 2018 for $500 million, positioning himself as a stabilizing force after a turbulent period under Tribune Publishing.
His tenure highlights the financial pressures facing metro newspapers. The Los Angeles Times has undergone multiple layoffs, including 115 layoffs in 2024, nearly 20 percent of the staff, while the San Diego Union-Tribune has faced similar setbacks.
Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of Emerson Group
Net worth: 10 billion dollars
Owned publication: Atlantic
Through Emerson Collective, Laurene Powell Jobs acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic in 2017 and later took full ownership. Since then, the 169-year-old magazine has expanded its newsroom and moved to a digital-first subscription model focused on long-form reporting.
Atlantic remains resilient amid industry headwinds, with nearly 1.4 million subscribers, more than half of whom are digital.
Marc Benioff, co-founder of Salesforce
Net worth: 7 billion dollars
Owned publication: Time magazine
Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne bought TIME for $190 million in 2018 as a personal investment. Since then, they have updated the publication with live events, digital video and segments such as Time CO2 Futures.
Times have increasingly shifted towards an event-driven model, as is the case now This represents nearly half of its revenues.
John W. Henry, investor and owner of Fenway Sports Group
Net worth: $5.7 billion
Owned publication: Boston Globe
John W. Henry built his fortune through investing and later assembled a global sports portfolio through Fenway Sports Group. He bought the Boston Globe from The New York Times Company for $70 million in 2013.
Under his ownership, the Globe has focused on regional investigative reporting and a digital-first subscription model. I have Nearly 261,000 digital subscribers and 75,000 print subscribers.
Joe Mansueto, founder of Morningstar
Net worth: $4.2 billion
Owned publications: Fast Company and Inc. magazine
Joe Mansueto founded Morningstar in 1984 and then created Mansueto Ventures, acquiring Inc. in 2005 and Fast Company in 2008. Publications focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, workplace culture and design.
Although it is privately owned and financially opaque, recent reports from one media operator suggest that Lower traffic and softer financial performance Via both addresses.
Chachaval Jayaravanon, Thai businessman
Net worth: 36 billion dollars
Owned publication: luck
Chatchaval Jayaravanon, part of the family behind Thailand Charon Pokvand Group (CP). The group acquired Fortune in 2018 for $150 million From Meredith Company. He is also involved in projects including Lightnet Group and Charoen Energy and Water Asia.
The acquisition aims to expand Fortune’s presence in Asia through investments in digital infrastructure, global events and its premium ratings. The publication reported flat profitability, with estimates 8 percent margin On approximately $130 million in annual revenue.
