Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is demanding answers from Microsoft regarding its partnership with NewsGuard, a media rating firm accused of suppressing conservative viewpoints. In a letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Cruz raised concerns over NewsGuard’s role in evaluating media outlets and its alleged bias against right-leaning publications.
Cruz pointed out that Microsoft promotes NewsGuard’s “Media Literacy” tool in its products and within schools, which he argues could mislead users into trusting certain sources while discrediting others based on ideological differences.
NewsGuard assigns credibility scores to news outlets, claiming to combat misinformation. However, Cruz noted that conservative websites such as The Federalist, The Daily Wire, and Newsmax have received negative ratings, while left-leaning outlets like Jacobin, The Atlantic, and The New Republic are rated favorably. He questioned Microsoft’s decision to financially support NewsGuard, arguing that such actions contradict the company’s stated commitment to free speech and open discourse.
Microsoft has long positioned itself as a defender of internet freedom, but its partnership with NewsGuard suggests otherwise, according to Cruz. He warned that embedding NewsGuard’s tools in Microsoft products could lead to widespread censorship by discouraging users from engaging with conservative news sources. Additionally, by integrating this rating system into educational programs, Microsoft may be shaping young audiences’ views on what constitutes “trustworthy” news.
Cruz’s challenge is part of a broader conservative pushback against perceived Silicon Valley bias. Many on the right believe Big Tech and affiliated organizations unfairly target conservative viewpoints under the guise of fact-checking and misinformation control. His letter to Nadella signals that Microsoft’s role in online content moderation will remain under scrutiny as conservatives continue to fight against ideological censorship.
