

Episode 310: News for Hire: How Billionaires Are Rewriting the Narrative
Jun 19, 2025
Eoin Higgins, a New England-based journalist at IT Brew, discusses his new book about tech billionaires' influence on the media. He dives into how billionaire funding shifts narratives in journalism, particularly from right-wing sources. The conversation reveals the complexities of media coverage post-2016, the role of Twitter in amplifying radical ideologies, and the dangers posed by anti-democratic sentiments in politics. Despite these challenges, Higgins expresses optimism for independent media's potential to foster informed public discourse.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Hidden Influence of Right-Wing Funding
- Right-wing think tanks and wealthy backers fund established journalists to promote favorable narratives subtly.
- This leads to news appearing legitimate but reinforcing anti-democratic views.
Tech Billionaires and Media Shift
- Tech billionaires like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk shape media and politics via their investments.
- Journalists like Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi shifted right alongside these tech financiers' support.
Decentralizing Media for Control
- Tech industry sought to decentralize media to counteract critical coverage by traditional outlets.
- This resulted in alternative platforms that dilute traditional journalism's influence.