Hundreds gathered in Hollywood, California on 18 September 2025 to voice their anger after ABC's decision to remove Jimmy Kimmel from television broadcasts. The protest reflects growing public concern about the increasing control wealthy individuals exert over media organisations and, by extension, democratic processes.
The Billionaire Media Takeover
The world's wealthiest individuals now command unprecedented influence over information flow. Elon Musk, the planet's richest person, owns X, while the family of Larry Ellison - the second-wealthiest individual - controls Paramount and CBS, with potential ownership of Warner Bros and CNN looming. Mark Zuckerberg commands Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and Jeff Bezos owns the Washington Post alongside Amazon MGM Studios. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch's empire includes Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.
This consolidation represents more than vanity projects for the ultra-wealthy. For multibillionaires, democracy presents a potential threat to their astronomical fortunes. Controlling significant media shares allows them to hedge against democratic accountability by suppressing criticism of plutocrats and discouraging policies that might redistribute wealth, such as progressive taxation.
Trump's Second Term Intensifies Pressure
The situation has escalated during Donald Trump's second presidential term, where he has illegally wielded presidential power to punish critics and reward supporters. The Bezos-owned Washington Post's editorial board defended the controversial demolition of the White House's East Wing to construct a Trump ballroom, failing to disclose that Amazon contributed significantly to the project's funding.
Similarly, the Post endorsed the Defence Department's decision to acquire new small nuclear reactors without mentioning Amazon's stake in X-energy, a company developing precisely such technology. The publication also criticised Washington DC's resistance to self-driving cars while Amazon's autonomous vehicle company sought market entry there.
The Ellison family's media influence demonstrates parallel concerns. Larry Ellison, a longstanding Trump donor, participated in discussions about challenging the 2020 election results. In June 2025, Oracle co-sponsored Trump's military parade while the Ellisons awaited FCC approval for their $8bn Paramount merger. During this period, CBS News executives resigned, citing editorial independence concerns and pressure to suppress Trump-critical stories.
Consequences for Media Integrity
In July 2025, Paramount paid $16m to settle Trump's frivolous lawsuit against CBS and cancelled The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Just three weeks later, Trump loyalist Brendan Carr, chairing the FCC, approved the Ellisons' deal, installing David Ellison as CEO of Paramount Skydance with control over CBS News.
The network subsequently appointed anti-woke commentator Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief despite her lack of broadcasting or news experience. More recently, CBS News heavily edited Trump's 60 Minutes interview, removing his boast about the network paying him a lotta money.
This represents a dramatic departure from the era when CBS News maintained independence under figures like Edward R Murrow and Walter Cronkite, prioritising public responsibility over political or corporate interests.
Restoring Media Integrity
Several measures could counter this dangerous concentration of media power. Outlets must transparently disclose all potential conflicts of interest, with media watchdogs ensuring compliance. When sensible governance returns, anti-monopoly authorities should block major media acquisitions by individuals with extensive business interests creating conflicts.
Media company purchases warrant different treatment than acquisitions of self-driving car firms or nuclear reactor developers, given journalism's crucial democratic role. Supporting independent media organisations like the Guardian, which operates without wealthy owners or powerful advertisers, represents another vital step toward preserving media integrity.
As darkness closes in with a demagogue occupying the Oval Office and media ownership concentrated among few individuals susceptible to manipulation, the fight to reclaim democracy has never been more urgent. Supporting truly independent journalism provides a crucial starting point for this essential struggle.
