The relationship between extreme wealth and a free press has long shaped American power. In recent years, that influence has become even more concentrated. A small group of tech founders, investors and industrial heirs now control or influence some of the most visible newsrooms, magazines and broadcast outlets in the country.
What was once ruled by hereditary publishing families has transformed 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 influence the style of the newsroom and the trust of the public. Wealth has become a growing force in the media ecosystem, shaping the content people consume and the institutions that deliver it.
Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, and David Ellison, founder of Skydance Media
Net worth: $290 billion
Publisher: CBS News
David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, entered media and entertainment with the founding of Skydance Media in 2006. He’s reshaped the industry with Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Global last year—a deal largely financed by Larry Ellison—and its recent (pending) acquisition. The acquisition of Warner Bros.
The Paramount-Skydance merger gives the Ellison family control over the Paramount portfolio, including CBS News, which provides a direct line to national broadcast journalism. Under Ellison’s ownership, CBS News has shifted to a more center-right stance, along with significant management changes, including the hiring of conservative reporter Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief.
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon
Net worth: $240 billion
Publisher: The Washington Post
Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million, marking a turning point in how tech titans approach dying journalism. Under his ownership, the paper expanded its digital engineering and global operations, driving traffic and subscription growth in the late 2010s.
Bezos has maintained a hands-off editorial approach, although his ownership remains important in discussions of corporate influence. In February 2025, after Trump was elected President, Bezos pressed the opinion pages of The Post to emphasize “personal liberties and free markets,” a move widely read as a positive change.
The Post has faced political and financial pressures: 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, a restructuring was carried out that included the layoff of more than 300 journalists.
Separately, speculation emerged last year that Bezos plans to buy Vogue for his wife Lauren Sanchez Bezos as a gift, although the claim has been denied by all parties, including Anna Wintour.
Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP
Net worth: $109 billion
Publisher: Bloomberg Media
Michael Bloomberg founded Bloomberg LP in 1981 and launched Bloomberg News in 1990. What started as a financial data business has grown into a global media operation with thousands of journalists in digital, TV, radio and print. Bloomberg maintains tight control over the company, which continues to grow. It recently surpassed 700,000 paid subscribers while increasing revenue year over year.
Rupert Murdoch, founder of News Corp
Net worth: $21.6 billion
Publications owned: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, The Sun
Rupert Murdoch founded News Corp in 1980 and built one of the most influential media outlets in the English-speaking world. Through News Corp and its affiliates, the Murdoch family has shaped political and cultural discourse for decades.
Its holdings include the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and the UK’s The Sun. The company remains profitable, reporting $121 million in revenue on the back of $2.19 billion in revenue in its most recent quarter.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, inventor of the cancer drug Abraxane
Net worth: $16.4 billion
Publications owned: 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 them as a stable force after a turbulent period under Tribune Publishing.
His tenure underscores the financial difficulties facing municipal newspapers. The Los Angeles Times has experienced multiple layoffs, including a 2024 layoff of 115 employees, about 20 percent of its workforce, while the San Diego Union-Tribune has faced similar challenges.
Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of Emerson Collective
Net worth: $10 billion
Publisher: The Atlantic
Through the Emerson Collective, Laurene Powell Jobs acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic in 2017 and later took full ownership. The 169-year-old publication has since expanded its newsroom and switched to a digital-first subscription model focused on long-form reporting.
The Atlantic has remained strong amid industry storms, with nearly 1.4 million subscribers, more than half of them digital.
Marc Benioff, founder of Salesforce
Net worth: $7 billion
Publisher: TIME Magazine
Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne, bought TIME for $190 million in 2018 as a personal investment. Since then, they have developed publications with live events, digital video, and verticals such as Time CO2 Futures.
Time is increasingly shifting to an event-driven model, with events now accounting for nearly half of revenue.
John W. Henry, investor and owner of Fenway Sports Group
Net worth: $5.7 billion
Publisher: The Boston Globe
John W. Henry built his fortune through investing and later assembled a global sports portfolio through the Fenway Sports Group. He bought The Boston Globe from The New York Times Company for $70 million in 2013.
Under his ownership, the Globe emphasized regional investigative reporting and an early digital subscription model. It has approximately 261,000 digital subscribers and 75,000 subscribers.
Joe Mansueto, founder of Morningstar
Net worth: $4.2 billion
Publications owned: Fast Company and Inc. Magazine
Joe Mansueto founded Morningstar in 1984 and later created Mansueto Ventures, Inc. in 2005 and Fast Company in 2008. Publications focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, workplace culture and design.
Although confidential and with no financial transparency, A Media Operator’s latest reporting shows a drop in traffic and soft financial performance for both titles.
Chatchaval Jiaravanon, a Thai business mogul
Net worth: $36 billion
Publisher: Good luck
Chatchaval Jiaravanon, part of the family behind Thailand Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group conglomerate, acquired Fortune in 2018 for $150 million from Meredith Corp. He is also involved with programs including Lightnet Group and Charoen Energy
The acquisition aims to expand Fortune’s presence in Asia through investments in digital infrastructure, global events and its signature brand. The publication reported steady profits, averaging about 8 percent on an estimated $130 million a year.
