Apple News and Google News failed to publish or promote negative stories concerning Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner for several months, according to a study by the Media Research Center (MRC) obtained by Fox News Digital. The study claims this suppression of coverage began in November and ended in May, a period during which Platner was considered a strong contender against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Between November and May, the MRC study found that Apple News and Google News did not feature at least 112 news stories from conservative-leaning outlets that detailed controversies surrounding Platner. These controversies included reports about a Nazi tattoo and offensive posts he made on Reddit. The MRC stated that this blackout in coverage coincided with polling data that suggested Platner was the most formidable Democratic challenger to Collins.
"For months, while Platner looked like the one Democrat who could beat Susan Collins, the two most powerful news apps in America buried scandal after scandal," said MRC President David Bozell. "Then the polls turned, Platner became a liability, and suddenly the blackout ended. News judgment had nothing to do with it." Bozell accused the tech platforms of operating a "protection racket" for Platner, arguing that millions of smartphone users were denied information while he was politically advantageous.
A Google spokesperson pushed back against the study's findings, stating that the claims are "totally false and based on a completely flawed methodology." The company suggested the study mistakes the volume of news for bias and that its methodology ignored Google News's real-time updates and personalized news delivery. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Platner officially withdrew from the Senate race on June 7, following allegations of sexual misconduct from two former partners. Jennifer Racicot alleged that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021, and Lyndsey Fifield claimed that he repeatedly engaged in stealthing during their relationship between 2013 and 2015. Platner has denied all allegations. Democrats began withdrawing their support for Platner after Racicot's allegations were reported by Politico. Platner, who had won the Democratic primary overwhelmingly, stated his intention to formally withdraw his name from the ballot, allowing Maine Democrats to select a replacement candidate to challenge Sen. Collins in the November election.