These 6 corporations control 90% of the media outlets in America. The illusion of choice and objectivity

In today’s world, where information is paramount, a concerning truth comes to light: just six corporations have a grip on almost 90% of media outlets throughout the United States. This consolidation of media power marks a significant change in how information is shared, molding public conversations and impacting societal views. With these conglomerates holding such sway over what we consume in terms of news and entertainment, it raises important questions about impartiality, the range of perspectives presented, and the health of our democratic principles.

These media conglomerates are owned by the elite or the ruling class, which extends its reach to encompass not only traditional power structures but also modern behemoths like big tech companies, exerting control over the content we consume—what we read, watch, and listen to. There’s even a new browser extension highlighting the invasive surveillance practices of these tech giants, revealing how they monitor our online activities.

The term “elite” often slips into our conversations without much thought, yet its roots and significance remain unfamiliar to many. Derived from the French élite, which traces back to the Latin eligere, meaning “to select or to sort out,” elites represent a select group of influential individuals who wield a disproportionate share of wealth, privilege, political power, or expertise within society.

Their influence looms large, particularly in shaping our media diets and consumption habits. Consider this: 37 years ago, a mere 50 companies held sway over American media. Fast forward to 2011, and that number dwindled to just six powerful corporations. As Jim Morrison, the iconic rock frontman, once aptly remarked, “Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.”

His words ring true today. Despite the illusion of boundless entertainment and media options, meticulously crafted by media elites, the reality is starkly different. In the pre-internet era of the early ’90s, the media landscape appeared straightforward. Yet, today, a mere six media giants dictate a staggering 90% of our media consumption.

The notion of journalistic objectivity, often touted by these elite-run outlets, serves as a façade for balanced reporting. But in truth, unbiased news is a myth. Journalists within these conglomerates answer to their corporate overlords, advancing their agendas. It’s unrealistic to expect outlets like The Washington Post to impartially cover stories involving their owner, such as reports on Jeff Bezos’s personal life.

The crux of the matter is clear: these media conglomerates prioritize the interests of their owners over those of the public they ostensibly serve.

In today’s landscape dominated by corporate giants, independent media struggle to compete. Despite the illusion of limitless choices, our options are fundamentally constrained. We’re fed a curated narrative, dictated by media oligarchs who dictate what we consume.

The same holds true for the tech titans presiding over social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. These behemoths not only stifle dissent but also censor content that diverges from the elite agenda.

“Today, a majority of online content we consume on the Internet is controlled by Comcast, ATT, Verizon.”

That being said, below is an infographic of six corporations that own everything in the big media today. This infographic created by Jason at Frugal Dad shows that almost all media comes from the same six sources.

Of note, this infographic is dated and does not reflect the current media owners of some of the news outlets. For example, GE no longer owns NBC anymore. But the fact that a few companies own everything demonstrates “the illusion of choice,” Frugal Dad says. As of September 2020, the 6 media giants are ATT (bought Time Warner), CBS, Comcast, Disney, News Corp (the parent company of Fox News), and Viacom.

Below is another infographic created by folks at WebFX. It shows the Big 6, who controls them, and what they own.

Below is a video of “Who owns The Media?” The video documents the power of the media and how few media outlets control everything we hear.

https://youtu.be/awRRPPE3V5Q