Tech mogul Palantir CEO Alex Karp recently sat down with YouTube show Sourcery for an interview, touting his company’s virtues and discussing personal anecdotes. This is part of a growing trend among tech billionaires to create their own media outlets, where they are shielded from criticism and can promote their interests.
Several prominent tech companies, including Palantir, Andreessen Horowitz, and Meta, have launched their own podcasts, YouTube shows, and publications, often focusing on promoting the industry’s interests and ideas. This creates a network of alternative media that is sympathetic to the views of its creators, offering a platform for self-promotion and less scrutiny.
The trend has been driven by concerns among tech elites about being scrutinized by critical media outlets. Some have even taken steps to limit access or create their own platforms to avoid negative press. For example, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has throttled links to critical news outlets on Twitter and given interviews only to sympathetic hosts.
While some critics argue that this new media landscape prioritizes ideology over fact-checking and can lead to the spread of misinformation, others see value in the content created by tech industry leaders. By offering a platform for their voices and ideas, these outlets can provide insight into the minds and perspectives of those who shape the industry’s future.
The rise of this new media empire reflects a broader shift in how public figures present themselves and seek access to journalists. It also echoes the entertainment industry’s strategy of tightly controlled press tours and politician podcasts, where celebrities and politicians go through vetted interviews to promote their image.
As Palantir’s Republic publication notes, “Far too many people who should not have a platform do. And there are far too many people who should have a platform but do not.” This sentiment reflects the desire among tech industry leaders to shape public discourse and promote their views.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/29/big-tech-silicon-valley-ceo-media