The judge said: "I cannot understand how somebody of your stature could engage in the conduct you engaged in and put everything at risk. In this country, no one is above the law."
Black was ordered to hand himself over to the US Bureau of Prisons on March 3 next year but his lawyers said Black, who insists he is innocent, will appeal the sentence.
The prison term fell short of the 15- to 30-year term that prosecutors had asked for.
Black and three former associates were found guilty on three counts of fraud and one of obstructing justice in July after a 15-week trial.
The men were found to have illegally taken a total of $6.1m in payments that should have benefited Hollinger International, of which Black was chairman.
Black was acquitted of nine other charges at the time, including racketeering and failing to file corporate tax returns.
The conviction for obstruction of justice covered Black's removal of evidence from his Toronto office, a scene captured on security cameras.
The Canadian-born tycoon was once worth £400m and headed a media empire which included the Telegraph, The Jerusalem Post and The Chicago Sun-Times. He and his wife Barbara Amiel were well known for throwing lavish parties attended by the cream of society.
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