US Media Landscape in 2024–25 Shaped by Billionaire Ownership and Trump Era Pressures
A recent Guardian op-ed analyzes the state of US media in 2024–25, claiming it is heavily influenced by billionaire ownership and political pressures stemming from the Trump administration. Major billionaire media owners identified include the Murdochs who control Fox, Jeff Bezos who owns the Washington Post, Patrick Soon-Shiong of the Los Angeles Times, and the Ellison family who have taken over Paramount and CBS and actively pursued hostile bids for Warner Bros., the owner of CNN.
The piece illustrates how former President Trump used defamation lawsuits and regulatory threats as tools to punish media outlets with unfavorable coverage. Examples cited include a CBS settlement over the handling of a Kamala Harris interview on 60 Minutes, lawsuits filed against the New York Times, and an FCC chair threatening to revoke ABC's broadcast license over a comedian's remarks.
According to the op-ed, these pressures have led some outlets to soften editorial lines or hedge coverage to avoid potential retaliation, contributing to what the author perceives as a decline in journalistic quality and independence across US media.
In contrast, The Guardian highlights its own independence, noting it has no billionaire owner and is funded by its readers. This funding model enables it to challenge power without pulling punches in its news coverage and opinion pieces.
Moira Donegan, contributing to the op-ed, emphasizes that The Guardian's editorial independence derives from reader support. She expresses gratitude for the ability to publish progressive voices and urges readers to back the year-end fundraising appeal.
