IBT Media’s Ownership Ties to Controversial Korean Christian Preacher David Jang

IBT Media, the company that now owns Newsweek, is led by Etienne Uzac, its CEO, and Johnathan Davis, its chief content officer. However, the company’s control remains a subject of controversy, with some alleging close, undisclosed ties to David Jang, a Korean Christian preacher who has been accused of calling himself the “Second Coming Christ.”

David Jang is associated with Olivet University, a school he founded, and IBT Media is listed among his businesses. A detailed investigation by Christianity Today, which was recognized as one of the “Best Long Reads of 2012” by The Daily Beast, also included IBT Media in Jang’s enterprise network. Before joining IBT, Davis served as the journalism director at Olivet University. He reportedly declined to attend a meeting with Jang’s other business leaders, citing that his commission was “inherently covert.”

Etienne Uzac’s wife, Marion Uzac, previously worked as the PR director for the World Evangelical Alliance, an organization closely linked to Jang. She now serves as IBT Media’s finance director. A former IBT staffer revealed that the couple’s relationship was not disclosed to employees, and the company took steps to conceal it. The staffer noted that Marion Uzac’s nameplate at work was listed as “Marion Kim” rather than “Marion Uzac.”

Jang has been accused of attempting to suppress criticism. Following the publication of the Christianity Today investigation, The Christian Post, a newspaper allegedly under Jang’s influence, attacked the magazine and falsely accused one of its reporters of being linked to child pornography. This incident highlights the complex and opaque relationships within the media and religious sectors, raising questions about transparency and accountability.

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