Move over Murdochs, here come the Ellisons

This episode of 'Today in Focus' explores the meteoric rise of Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison as new power brokers in American media, positioning them as the next generation of media moguls to rival the Murdochs. With Larry Ellison—co-founder of Oracle and once the world’s richest man—now deeply involved in media through his acquisition of Paramount and its subsidiary CBS News, the family is poised to take control of Warner Bros. Discovery and CNN. The episode details how the Ellisons, particularly through David Ellison’s leadership at CBS News and the controversial appointment of editor-in-chief Barry Weiss, have shifted the network’s tone toward the right, raising alarms about editorial independence. The takeover of CBS News followed a high-profile settlement with Donald Trump after a 60 Minutes segment on Kamala Harris, which many viewed as a 'big fat bribe' that compromised journalistic integrity. The episode also examines the broader implications of this media consolidation, including Larry Ellison’s 15% stake in TikTok and the potential for a Trump-aligned media ecosystem. With powerful allies in government—including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FCC Chair Carr—critics warn that the U.S. press is being systematically reshaped to serve political interests, undermining democratic accountability and press freedom. Key takeaways include: 1) The Ellison family’s media empire is expanding rapidly through strategic acquisitions and political alignment; 2) Editorial independence at major networks like CBS News and CNN is under threat due to corporate and political influence; 3) The settlement with Trump over the 60 Minutes segment set a dangerous precedent for media self-censorship; 4) TikTok’s growing influence makes Ellison’s stake in the platform a critical lever in shaping public discourse; 5) Government officials are openly advocating for media ownership changes that favor political allies; 6) The consolidation of media power into a few hands risks creating a propaganda ecosystem; 7) Journalists and newsroom leaders are leaving in protest, signaling a crisis of trust; 8) The future of independent journalism hangs in the balance as corporate and political forces converge.