Senator Bernie Sanders has raised concerns about the growing concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few billionaires.
Sanders Points to Control of Media by the Richest Americans
In a recent post on X, Sanders highlighted how some of the wealthiest men in the world own or control the largest media platforms that millions of Americans rely on every day.
He pointed out that Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in the world, owns the social media platform X. Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle and currently the second-richest man, owns Paramount, which includes CBS, and is reportedly moving toward a possible takeover of TikTok and CNN.
Sanders also named Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post and the streaming platform Twitch. Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, controls Facebook and Instagram, two of the most widely used platforms worldwide.
Sanders summed up his warning by noting that the top five richest men in the world are all media owners or executives. For him, this represents not just an issue of wealth inequality but also a problem of power over what information Americans see, hear, and read.
Billionaires at the Center of U.S. Media
Elon Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) in 2022 changed the landscape of online conversations. Since then, X has been one of the most active platforms for political debate, news updates, and public discussions. Musk has often said he wants the platform to support free speech, but critics argue his personal influence shapes the kind of content that is allowed or amplified.
Larry Ellison’s role in media has grown rapidly. Paramount Global, which owns CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and several other networks, has long been a major player in entertainment and news. Reports suggest Ellison is also interested in acquiring TikTok, the video-sharing platform with millions of young users, as well as CNN, one of the biggest cable news outlets. If these deals go through, Ellison would become one of the most powerful figures in both traditional and digital media.
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Jeff Bezos entered the media world in 2013 when he purchased the Washington Post. Under his ownership, the paper has expanded its digital reach and become one of the leading online news sites. Bezos also owns Twitch, a streaming service popular with younger audiences, especially in gaming and live content.
Mark Zuckerberg’s influence is even broader. As CEO of Meta, he controls Facebook and Instagram, two platforms used by billions globally. They are not just social networking apps but also key sources of news, advertising, and information flow for the public.
Together, these billionaires have a massive share of control over the platforms where Americans consume news, entertainment, and cultural content.
Oligarchy and Media Influence
Bernie Sanders described this trend as a form of oligarchy. Traditionally, the term refers to a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals. In this case, Sanders argues it is not just wealth and income inequality but also control of information that affects democracy.
Media ownership plays a powerful role in shaping public opinion. When a few people control the biggest newspapers, TV channels, and online platforms, it makes people wonder how free the news really is. Sanders says this power can decide what people learn, how stories are told, and which voices are heard or ignored.
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He warned that Americans should be aware that the country’s richest individuals are also deciding the media landscape. According to Sanders, this means that control is not only about economic dominance but also about cultural and political influence.
For everyday people, this concentration of media power can shape everything from political debates to cultural conversations. Whether it is breaking news, entertainment, or social media trends, a small group of billionaires now play a central role in deciding what content reaches the public.
