Tech Giants Accused of Suppressing Negative News on Maine Senate Candidate Graham Platner
Apple and Google have been accused of suppressing negative news stories about Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner before his recent downfall. A study by the Media Research Center revealed that Apple News and Google News did not publish any stories between November and May about the controversies surrounding Platner, including his Nazi tattoo and offensive Reddit posts. The blackout in coverage started after a poll suggested Platner was a strong contender against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins and ended after The New York Times reported on Platner's sexting scandal.
The study found that conservative-leaning outlets published at least 112 news stories scrutinizing Platner during the November-May period, which were not promoted by Apple News and Google News. MRC President David Bozell criticized the tech platforms for running a "protection racket" for Platner, alleging that they buried scandals until he became a liability. Google refuted the study's claims, stating that the methodology was flawed and that Google News updates throughout the day, showing personalized news based on users' interests and location.
Platner withdrew from the race after two of his exes accused him of sexual misconduct, which he denied. Jennifer Racicot alleged that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021, while Lyndsey Fifield claimed he engaged in stealthing during their relationship. Despite the mounting controversies, it wasn't until Racicot's interview with Politico that Democrats started withdrawing their support from Platner. Platner, who won the Democratic primary, plans to formally withdraw from the ballot, allowing Maine Democrats to replace him in the hopes of defeating Collins in the upcoming election.