In recent years, concerns about Big Tech's influence over media and elections have escalated, and Google has found itself at the center of this controversy. A recent article from The Washington Examiner highlights the troubling relationship between Google, the Democratic Party, and the media—a relationship that poses significant risks to journalistic integrity and the democratic process.
The issue came to light with the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act, which originally aimed to support local journalism by allowing publishers to collectively negotiate with tech giants like Google and Meta. However, this legislation was thwarted by intense lobbying from Google, which resulted in a new, more insidious arrangement. Under the new deal, Google and Meta agreed to provide $55 million each over five years to the University of California, Berkeley. The university would then distribute these funds as grants to local news organizations, particularly those in "news deserts" or serving "underserved communities."
The Democratic Party’s Google cartel https://t.co/tP1Bs1rEm9
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 26, 2024
While this might appear to be a benevolent gesture, critics argue that it effectively transforms these grants into a slush fund, controlled by left-leaning academics, to bolster media outlets that align with Democratic Party values. This arrangement not only undermines the original intent of supporting independent journalism but also entrenches the influence of Big Tech and the Democratic Party over the press.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has praised the deal, claiming it will help rebuild a "robust and dynamic" press corps in the state. However, Republicans and media watchdogs warn that this is a dangerous consolidation of power, one that threatens to turn the press into a mere mouthpiece for Democratic agendas. As The Washington Examiner reports, this deal represents a "cartel" that further diminishes the already dwindling independence of American journalism.
The Democratic Party’s Google Cartel
Archive – https://t.co/9OotgyFsmU
"In other words, leftist professors at a leftist university[University of California, Berkeley] would sluice the money to leftist organizations that support the Democratic Party… "https://t.co/G9IPpxGJVe
— Earl Jackson (@earljackson1776) August 26, 2024
Beyond this, Google's involvement in elections has also drawn scrutiny. Reports indicate that Google has interfered in U.S. elections at least 41 times since 2008, often censoring conservative voices while boosting liberal candidates. For example, during the 2016 presidential election, Google was accused of manipulating search algorithms to favor Hillary Clinton, potentially swaying millions of votes in her favor. This pattern of behavior has persisted, with Google continuing to exert its influence over electoral outcomes, often in favor of Democratic candidates.
The implications of these actions are profound. Google's control over the digital advertising market and its ability to manipulate search results give it unparalleled power to shape public discourse and influence elections. A federal court recently ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly in the online search market, reinforcing concerns that the company’s dominance is not only harmful to competition but also to democracy itself.
The alliance between Big Tech and the Democratic Party is more than just a political convenience; it is a concerted effort to control the flow of information in America. With California Republicans unlikely to dismantle this powerful "Google-Meta-Democratic Party cartel," there is an urgent need for conservatives to push for federal legislation like the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which would help restore balance to the media landscape.
As the 2024 elections approach, the influence of Big Tech on the democratic process cannot be overstated. The ongoing collaboration between Google and the Democratic Party is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the concentration of media power in the hands of a few, and the need for robust legal and regulatory frameworks to protect the integrity of American democracy.
