The Media Research Center (MRC), a conservative watchdog based in the USA, has called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Apple News for potential violations of trade practice laws. The MRC's report claims that Apple News has been favoring liberal publications significantly over conservative ones, a claim that has sparked a response from FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson. The findings were based on a content review that analyzed 620 stories published by Apple News during the month of January, revealing a stark imbalance in representation.

Out of the stories analyzed, 440 were identified as coming from left-leaning outlets, while 180 came from centrist sources, with no stories featured from right-leaning publications. This significant disparity has raised concerns about the reliability and integrity of the news aggregator as a platform for diverse political views. Moreover, the fact that Apple News comes pre-installed on Apple devices means millions of users are potentially subjected to this perceived bias without other significant alternatives.

As a result of these findings, FTC Chairman Ferguson has taken the allegations seriously enough to write to Apple CEO Tim Cook, warning that Apple’s practices may contravene Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts. This development marks a critical point in discussions about media fairness and competition in the digital news landscape, particularly as conservative voices express increased concerns over representation and access in mainstream media.