Media Research Center Study Alleges Bias in Apple News Coverage of Republican Issues

Apple News’ Alleged Bias

Apple News has faced allegations of bias during the lead-up to the midterm elections. According to a study by the Media Research Center (MRC), the platform promoted more than 80 stories that negatively framed issues important to Republicans, while not promoting any positive stories on GOP-aligned concerns.

Study Analysis

The MRC, which is a conservative media watchdog, analyzed the top 20 stories on Apple News from September 15 to 30. Researchers found that readers received approximately five stories per day that negatively portrayed the Republicans’ top 10 policy priorities. During the same period, no stories were promoted that positively reflected any Republican priorities.

Apple News ran 84 negative headlines on Republican priorities and zero positive ones. Zero! said MRC’s David Bozell in a comment to Fox News Digital. He highlighted the impact of such reporting, stating, Millions of voters open that app before they vote, and Apple’s editors are in there like a bartender who waters down only one party’s drinks.

According to MRC staffers Luis Cornelio and Madison Van Zant, their findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Apple News curates its feeds to promote a left-wing agenda.

Headline Analysis

Throughout the review period, Apple News promoted 117 stories related to Republican issues, with 84 presenting negative angles. A total of 33 stories maintained a neutral tone, but none of the promoted stories offered a positive perspective on GOP policies. Analysts noted the coverage framed Republican concerns such as immigration, the economy, law enforcement, and foreign policy in unfavorable ways.

Highlighted topics included:

• Immigration viewed through the lens of court defeats and sensationalism.
• The economy described in terms of high gas prices.
• Law enforcement portrayed with positive views on police abolition.
• Government cuts associated with accusations of radicalism.
• Foreign policy depicted as America’s adversaries being warriors.

Historical Bias Allegations

Apple News has long been accused of having a liberal bias, and earlier reports by Fox News Digital noted contributions from top executives to Democratic campaigns. Despite hopes from conservatives for change under new CEO John Ternus, a previous MRC study indicated an increase in stories from leftist outlets during his first month.

Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding this analysis.

Contact Information

Brian Flood, media editor/reporter for FOX News Digital, encourages story tips and can be reached via email at [email protected] or on Twitter at @briansflood.