Austin News

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz has commended Microsoft for distancing itself from NewsGuard, a move following his inquiry into the company's support for NewsGuard's "Media Literacy" program. This program was promoted as an educational tool to help schoolchildren identify misinformation, but Cruz criticized it for its perceived bias against conservative viewpoints.

Cruz expressed satisfaction with Microsoft's decision: “Big Tech is finally beginning to recognize the censorship of conservative viewpoints will no longer be tolerated by the American people. I am happy to see that the leadership at Microsoft has renounced their support of NewGuard’s so-called Media Literacy tool in response to my letter,” he stated. He further described NewsGuard's rating system as biased, arguing that it suppresses intellectual diversity and critical thinking among students.

In December 2024, Sen. Cruz sent a letter seeking clarification on Microsoft's financial backing of NewsGuard's program and its role in allegedly suppressing conservative perspectives.

Microsoft responded by clarifying that their involvement with NewsGuard was limited to a single donation made in 2018. The company requested that NewsGuard remove any claims on its website suggesting ongoing support from Microsoft for its Media Literacy Programs. Following this request, NewsGuard removed references to Microsoft from its site.