Even Google couldn’t mask PBS's bias when comparing how the outlet treated former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
MRC researchers asked Google’s AI chatbot Gemini on Monday, “Does PBS coverage favor Nancy Pelosi or Mike Johnson?” The chatbot tried to hedge its answer, citing PBS’s purported “commitment to journalistic integrity.” But ultimately, when Google referred to the outlet’s actual reporting, it became clear where PBS’s biases lie. While Google subtly highlighted PBS reporting on Pelosi’s achievements and “legacy,” the chatbot primarily focused on divisions within the GOP and Johnson’s challenges and criticisms. MRC researchers asked the same question about NPR’s coverage of the two U.S. House speakers, but in the end, Gemini hedged its answer to the questions concerning both outlets by calling it a matter of “interpretation.”
Google’s Gemini began by citing “PBS Standards,” a page which lists the outlet’s supposed “Core Principles,” as if that was evidence that supported that PBS follows them. Only after describing these standards did Gemini refer to a recent White House Fact Sheet that cited MRC NewsBusters research showing that “‘congressional Republicans faced 85% negative coverage, compared to 54% positive coverage of congressional Democrats,’ on PBS’s flagship news program.”
Gemini proceeded to describe PBS’s news reporting on the two U.S. House speakers, which transparently revealed the outlet’s bias. The AI chatbot predictably noted PBS reporting on Pelosi’s achievements: “PBS, particularly through programs like Frontline, has produced in-depth documentaries and interviews exploring her political career, how she gained and wielded power, and the challenges she faced,” Gemini wrote.
The chatbot also used flowery language to evoke a positive spin on Pelosi’s career while proceeding to highlight the negative events of January 6th, a topic frequently wielded by the left and media as a cudgel against President Donald Trump, his supporters and Republican allies. The AI chatbot also focused on the example of 'Pelosi's Power,’ a documentary which it claimed “examined her life and legacy, including her responses to significant events like January 6th.” Google also painted the latter positively, likely referencing Pelosi’s creation of the infamous January 6 committee.
Gemini also subtly framed potential criticism of the two speakers very differently, glossing over Pelosi’s critics while getting specific about Johnson’s. In the case of Pelosi, the Google chatbot described the documentary Pelosi’s Power as aiming to be “comprehensive, drawing on interviews from a variety of sources, including political opponents and journalists, to provide a multi-faceted view.” On the other hand, for Johnson, Gemini was more specific, adding that PBS, “report[s] on criticisms he faces, such as those related to his legislative agenda's potential impact on programs like Medicaid.” [Emphasis added.]
For PBS’s reporting on Mike Johnson, Gemini repeatedly focused on the outlet’s coverage of how he has dealt with division or lack of unity within the Republican Party. Gemini explained, “PBS NewsHour covers Mike Johnson's actions, statements, and challenges as Speaker of the House. This includes reporting on his efforts to unify the Republican party, pass legislation (like the ‘big beautiful bill’ under discussion with President Donald Trump), and navigate internal divisions.”
MRC Free Speech America Vice President Dan Schneider responded, noting that although the party has indeed been divided, this is not necessarily a reason to taint Johnson’s leadership.
“The fact that the party is divided has no bearing on Mike Johnson’s leadership, except to the extent that holding a divided party together demonstrates his great strength,” said Schneider. “But PBS and NPR are so biased in their radical view that they want to give Pelosi credit for simply sitting atop a left-wing behemoth that was happy to carry forward an Obama agenda.”
When MRC researchers asked Gemini the same question about NPR’s reporting, the platform similarly highlighted its coverage of the Democrats’ unity during Pelosi’s time in power, while pointing out that Johnson’s party is divided.
“NPR aims to report on their actions, statements, and political challenges objectively,” Gemini claimed. “You'll find NPR reporting on the difficulties Johnson has faced in unifying his party and passing legislation, often drawing comparisons to Pelosi's ability to maintain party cohesion during her speakership. They have also reported on controversies surrounding both figures.” [Emphasis added.]
In its answers to both questions, Gemini added that whether or not each outlet “favors” one congressman or another is up to “interpretation,” which relies heavily on political beliefs. Gemini noted further that the audience of the two outlets tends to “lean” or “identify” as liberal and in the case of PBS, the chatbot added that the audience is often “more highly educated.”
Methodology: MRC Free Speech America researchers prompted Google’s Gemini on June 2 with the words “Does PBS coverage favor Nancy Pelosi or Mike Johnson?” and “Does NPR coverage favor Nancy Pelosi or Mike Johnson?” Researchers then analyzed the chatbot’s responses for political biases and agendas.
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