Leftist Media Monitors CRUSHED – Huge Win

(PatriotNews.net) – West Virginia’s Senate just crushed leftist media monitors like NewsGuard with a resounding vote, shielding taxpayer dollars from biased censorship of conservative voices.

Story Highlights

West Virginia Senate passed SB 531 by 30-2, banning state contracts with media bias raters like NewsGuard starting July 1, 2026.
Supporters hail it as First Amendment protection against viewpoint discrimination in public ad spending.
Newsmax testified in favor, citing low ratings that choke conservative ad revenue.
Bill now heads to House amid national pushback against media monitors under President Trump.

Senate Passage Marks Victory Against Media Bias

The West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 531, the First Amendment Preservation Act, on February 13, 2026, with a 30-2 vote. This Republican-dominated body, holding a 32R-2D majority, prohibited state agencies from contracting with media monitoring services like NewsGuard. The bill targets firms that rate news outlets on bias or fact-checking for ad placements. Senator Mike Azinger (R-Wood), the lead sponsor, introduced the measure to stop public funds from funding viewpoint discrimination. Conservative outlets like Newsmax, hit hard by low trust scores, stand to gain ad access for state campaigns targeting hunters and fishermen.

NewsGuard’s Role and Conservative Pushback

NewsGuard, founded in 2018 by Steven Brill and Gordon Crovitz, assigns trust scores to news sites based on credibility. Conservative media such as Newsmax receive low ratings, prompting accusations of left-leaning bias that starves them of ad revenue. Newsmax’s Michael Martin testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 9, 2026, highlighting how these ratings choke sales to advertisers. The committee advanced a substitute version, reported on February 10, leading to full passage. This aligns with President Trump’s FTC investigation into NewsGuard in May 2025 and a December 2025 NDAA provision banning DoD use of such firms.

Key Supporters Champion Free Speech Protections

Senator Tom Willis (R-Berkeley), Judiciary Committee Chair, championed SB 531 as essential to prevent ideological ratings from dictating state ad dollars. Azinger accused NewsGuard of left bias that harms conservative media access for West Virginia’s outdoor enthusiasts. The bill requires advertisers to certify they avoid bias monitors, effective July 1, 2026 if enacted. This mirrors ALEC’s 2024 anti-censorship principles and Florida’s efforts, bolstering the GOP narrative on free speech amid Trump’s federal actions against censorship.

Governor Patrick Morrisey (R), a potential signer, aligns with these priorities should the House pass it. Newsmax’s proactive lobbying influenced Republicans like Azinger, leveraging the Senate supermajority.

Opposition and Legal Challenges Ahead

Democrats Senators Joey Garcia (D-Marion) and Mike Woelfel (D-Cabell) cast the lone no votes, arguing the bill violates the First Amendment. NewsGuard CEOs claim it blocks a nonpartisan service, while FIRE’s Carolyn Iodice, representing them in a February 6, 2026 FTC lawsuit, critiques SB 531 as unconstitutional government overreach. Critics predict litigation, though supporters view states’ ad partner choices as protected. Short-term, agencies shift strategies; long-term, it could chill rating firms and redirect taxpayer funds to unmonitored conservative outlets.

Broader Impacts on Media and Taxpayers

Passage boosts conservative media revenue by opening state ad markets previously closed by low ratings. West Virginia agencies lose monitoring tools but gain freedom from perceived censorship. Advertisers face certification burdens, while communities like hunters benefit from targeted ads on preferred outlets. Politically, it strengthens resistance to leftist media control, echoing national precedents. As of February 17, 2026, the bill awaits House action, with economic gains for conservatives outweighing risks of lawsuits in this common-sense stand for fair play.

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