Studies conducted by the Media Research Center (MRC) claim that Apple News is significantly highlighting content from left-leaning news organizations, particularly with negative coverage regarding President Donald Trump.
According to MRC, a conservative watchdog, Apple News seemed to adopt a ‘decidedly leftist turn’ following the transition from Tim Cook to John Ternus as CEO on September 1.
The watchdog observed Apple News through October and noted its promotion of left-leaning outlets during the lead up to midterm elections. Notably, only 11 stories out of 504 published stories came from right-leaning outlets, according to the research.
More than two-thirds of the stories originated from liberal publications, with 67.3% categorized as such by media bias rating site AllSides, while right-leaning stories represented just 2%.
“For months the media has been claiming that Trump is on the ballot for the midterm elections. Given that Apple News has run only eleven stories from right-leaning outlets in October leading up to the election and nearly half were framed negatively against Trump, it’s apparent how Apple under John Ternus hopes the election turns out,”
said Dan Schneider from MRC Free Speech America.
Apple News has long been accused of liberal bias, as noted by various studies, such as those examining the suppression of negative stories regarding Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, and Graham Platner.
Additionally, the research from MRC highlighted how stories involving Trump presented predominantly negative viewpoints, with 96 headlines featuring Trump’s name. Of these, 49 framed him negatively, while none portrayed him positively, and 47 remained neutral.
MRC noted that some headlines characterized Trump as an antisemite, an irrational critic of U.S. allies, and a Russian sympathizer. Stories emphasized his administration’s legal shortcomings, alleged pricing failures, and the backlash against his policies.
Fox News Digital reported previously that many top executives and board members of Apple have significant histories of donating to Democratic campaigns, which may contribute to perceived liberal bias.
MRC President David Bozell underscored this sentiment, stating:
“Ninety-six Trump headlines. Forty-nine negative. Zero positive. Apple’s editors choose the top stories by hand, and the scoreboard shows what they chose. Somebody at Apple owns the zero.”
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Brian Flood, a media editor/reporter for Fox News Digital, emphasized these findings. Story tips can be directed to [email protected] or on Twitter at @briansflood.
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