The claim that Facebook workers routinely suppressed news stories of interest to conservative readers from the social network’s “trending” news section, and promoted others like the Black Lives Matter movement, must come as a great relief to some conservatives who haven’t seen their offerings spread virally on Facebook as much as they hoped.
It’s a lot more comforting to believe that Facebook was altering its algorithm and news section to stifle interest and access your offerings, than to acknowledge that maybe your offerings just weren’t that compelling, interesting, or as popular as others. Some great material finds an audience, some is destined to remain the news or cultural equivalent of a cult hit.
Conservative complaints about media bias are simultaneously accurate, important, well-grounded, and a really convenient, nearly all-purpose excuse.