Microsoft cuts ties with NewsGuard, a so-called “media literacy” tool that was actually just a tool for censorship and spreading lies
By ljdevon // 2025-02-13
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In a striking move, Microsoft has severed its ties with NewsGuard, a controversial "media literacy" tool accused of systematically silencing conservative voices under the guise of combating misinformation. The decision came after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) launched an investigation into Microsoft’s funding of the organization, which has been linked to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). NewsGuard, a self-proclaimed arbiter of truth, has long been criticized for its biased ratings system, which disproportionately targets conservative outlets while giving left-leaning media a free pass. This development marks a rare victory for free speech advocates, but it also raises questions about the broader ecosystem of censorship that continues to thrive in Big Tech.

The anatomy of NewsGuard’s bias

NewsGuard’s mission to "guide learners of all ages through the overwhelming landscape of online news and information" sounds noble—until you peel back the layers. The organization’s rating system, which brands conservative outlets like The Federalist, The Daily Wire, and Newsmax as "unreliable," has been exposed as a thinly veiled tool for ideological suppression. Meanwhile, left-wing publications such as Jacobin, The Atlantic, and The New Republic are deemed trustworthy, despite their own histories of partisan reporting and factual errors. Sen. Cruz, in a scathing letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, highlighted this glaring double standard. "NewsGuard’s biased rating system stifles intellectual diversity, hinders critical thinking among young students, and undermines our nation’s core values of free expression," Cruz wrote. His words echo the frustration of millions of Americans who have watched their voices drowned out by a cabal of self-appointed truth-tellers. NewsGuard’s influence extends far beyond its website. The organization has partnered with major advertising agencies—including Omnicom, Interpublic, and Publicis—to blacklist conservative media outlets from ad revenue streams. This financial strangulation has forced independent voices to the margins, leaving only corporate-approved narratives in the mainstream. Even more alarming is NewsGuard’s collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which has pushed the tool into over 800 public libraries worldwide. By embedding its browser extension into educational institutions, NewsGuard has effectively weaponized "media literacy" to indoctrinate the next generation. This is not education; it is propaganda masquerading as enlightenment.

Five examples of NewsGuard’s censorship campaign

1. Targeting The Federalist: NewsGuard labeled The Federalist as "unreliable" for its conservative commentary, despite its rigorous fact-checking and adherence to journalistic standards. 2. Blacklisting ZeroHedge: The financial news site was branded as untrustworthy, effectively cutting off its access to ad revenue and limiting its reach. 3. Smearing Newsmax: Despite its growing popularity, Newsmax was slapped with a low rating, further marginalizing its voice in the media landscape. 4. Promoting Jacobin: The far-left publication, known for its radical socialist stance, was given a glowing endorsement by NewsGuard. 5. Silencing The Daily Wire: Ben Shapiro’s outlet, a bastion of conservative thought, was dismissed as unreliable, while left-leaning counterparts were celebrated.

NewsGuard is a censorship apparatus

Microsoft’s decision to distance itself from NewsGuard is a step in the right direction, but it is far from a solution. The tech giant claims its support was limited to a one-time donation in 2018, yet NewsGuard proudly displayed Microsoft’s endorsement on its website until Cruz’s investigation forced its removal. This raises questions about the depth of Big Tech’s involvement in censorship and whether Microsoft’s move is merely a public relations stunt. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has been vocal about the need for transparency, demanding that tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Alphabet disclose their censorship activities. "NewsGuard exists to censor free speech and conservative news outlets," Carr wrote in a letter to tech CEOs. His words are a stark reminder that the fight for free expression is far from over. The fall of NewsGuard is a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing unelected gatekeepers to dictate what is true and what is false. It is a reminder that censorship, no matter how well-intentioned, is a slippery slope that inevitably leads to tyranny. Microsoft’s decision to cut ties with NewsGuard is a small victory, but it is also a call to arms. The battle for truth is not won by a single act of defiance; it is won by the relentless pursuit of justice, transparency, and accountability. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the American people will no longer tolerate the silencing of their voices. The fight for free speech is not just a political issue; it is a moral imperative. And in the words of Sen. Cruz, "Big Tech is finally beginning to recognize that censorship of conservative viewpoints will no longer be tolerated." Let this be a warning to those who seek to control the narrative: the truth will always find a way to be heard. Sources include: Zerohedge.com X.com X.com
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