Associated Press Moves Left Follow the Money

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The Associated Press has long been regarded as a bastion of nonpartisan journalism, but recent developments suggest a shift in its financial model and, potentially, its editorial direction. A disclosure at the end of a recent AP investigation into American tech companies that have supported Israel’s military operations acknowledged that the organization receives financial assistance from the Omidyar Network.

 

This admission marks a notable transition for the news cooperative, which once primarily relied on dues from member newspapers but now increasingly turns to funding from left-leaning charitable foundations. Despite these financial ties, the AP insists that its journalism remains independent and nonpartisan.  

 

Pierre Omidyar, the billionaire founder of eBay, has an estimated fortune of $12.5 billion, according to Bloomberg. His political contributions include $1 million in March 2024 to the ACLU Voter Education Fund and $450,000 in 2016 to political-action committees opposing the Trump-Pence campaign. Omidyar, his wife, and their network have previously funded openly left-wing and anti-Israel media outlets such as the Intercept and In These Times.

 

The Intercept has challenged the New York Times’ reporting on Hamas’s widespread sexual violence against Israelis, even suggesting that the Times is biased in favor of Israel due to the late father of its current executive editor being involved in a pro-Israel media watchdog group. In These Times, which categorizes “Palestine” as a standalone section alongside “politics” and “opinion,” has been vocal in its support for boycotts against Israel and has labeled the Jewish state’s military actions as a “genocidal onslaught.”  

 

Although the Omidyar Network's grant to the AP was officially intended to support coverage of artificial intelligence, it also funded an investigation into Microsoft and Google’s involvement with the Israeli government. The AP, once known for its rigorous commitment to nonpartisanship, now risks tarnishing its reputation by accepting financial support from Omidyar. Reports suggest that the grant in question amounts to approximately $250,000—a fraction of the AP’s overall foundation-based funding.  

 

The AP’s 2023 annual report highlights a total of 81 grants amounting to $60.9 million, with contributions from organizations with clear political agendas. The KR Foundation, a Denmark-based nonprofit advocating for the rapid elimination of fossil fuels, is among AP’s backers. So is the Hewlett Foundation, which played a key role in supporting Joe Biden’s economic policies. Hewlett has contributed over $2 million to support AP reporting.

 

An AP spokeswoman defended the organization’s independence, stating that each foundation undergoes a thorough review to ensure commitment to editorial autonomy and that the AP retains complete control over its journalism. She also described the omission of Omidyar’s name from a public list of AP funders as an “oversight” that would be corrected. The Omidyar Network, however, declined to respond to inquiries.  

 

One subject that is unlikely to receive significant investigative scrutiny from these foundation-funded media outlets is the foundations themselves—specifically, their political bias, their highly paid executives, and the effectiveness of their spending. As for the AP, it remains to be seen how its growing reliance on ideological benefactors will influence its reporting.

 

Meanwhile, former President Trump’s decision to withdraw the AP’s special White House access may serve as a reminder to readers to approach its coverage with skepticism. In a world where journalism is increasingly intertwined with funding sources, readers will ultimately determine whether the AP’s reputation has been compromised.

 

Based on a report by WSJ  2025-03-01