International Business Times UK
UK center-left
Background
International Business Times was launched in 2005 by Etienne Uzac, a French national who conceived the idea while studying at the London School of Economics, and co-founder Johnathan Davis. The UK edition (ibtimes.co.uk) was established as part of the outlet's early international expansion strategy. The parent company, incorporated as IBT Media in 2012 and headquartered in New York, grew into a major digital-media group and acquired Newsweek from IAC in 2013, briefly rebranding as Newsweek Media Group in 2017. In 2018, IBT Media faced a serious legal crisis: Manhattan prosecutors indicted the company and its affiliated Christian Media Corporation on charges of a $35 million loan fraud scheme; Uzac subsequently stepped down and later pleaded guilty to money laundering and scheme to defraud, receiving probation. That same year, Newsweek was spun off into an independent company, while IBT Media continued operating IBTimes. IBT Media's ties to Olivet University — founded by evangelical pastor David J. Jang — drew scrutiny, though the editorial output of IBTimes UK has not reflected an overtly religious orientation. Media bias analysts (including Media Bias/Fact Check) rate the UK edition as left-center in its political lean with mostly factual reporting, noting a tendency toward sensational headlines alongside generally reliable sourcing.
Sources
- International Business Times UK – Bias and Credibility
- IBT Media – Wikipedia
- International Business Times – Wikipedia
- Former IBT Media Head Pleads Guilty In Fraud Case – Newsweek
- Newsweek's former parent company indicted in fraud and money laundering case – CNN Business
- IBTimes UK – recent Trump administration coverage (sample headlines)
Profile compiled 2026-06-26; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.