Ellisons Challenge Murdoch Dynasty in US Media, Sparking Democracy Concerns

Ellisons Challenge Murdoch Dynasty in US Media, Sparking Democracy Concerns

 

Tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his son, David Ellison, are rapidly becoming major forces in U.S. media through high-stakes acquisitions, raising alarms due to their close ties to President Donald Trump.

The family’s media expansion rivals the power of the Murdoch dynasty.

 

Key Acquisitions and Trump Ties

 

• Paramount/CBS: David Ellison’s Skydance completed the takeover of Paramount (owner of CBS), a deal backed by his father and approved by the FCC, which is led by a Trump loyalist.
• Warner Bros. Bid: They are reportedly preparing a bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, which owns networks like CNN and HBO.
• TikTok: Larry Ellison’s company, Oracle, is set to become a key investor in TikTok’s U.S. operations, taking control of its algorithm.
• White House Support: President Trump has openly praised Larry Ellison, who is a Republican megadonor.

 

Concerns Over Influence

 

Critics fear the family’s growing control over news networks and a major social platform will allow the administration to influence coverage:

• “Dangerous for Democracy”: Watchdogs warn that the consolidation of CBS and potentially CNN and TikTok under Trump allies poses a threat to media independence.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: Concerns over political influence led House Democrats to launch an investigation into the Paramount deal.
• Editorial Changes: Following the merger, CBS introduced changes like appointing a conservative watchdog and limiting its political show to live/unedited interviews, a move critics say aligns with the White House’s demands.

Have something to say? Post your comment