The ever growing media censorship of even advertising

No Minister reports on how Don Brash not only can’t get an op ed published by Stuff, but they are refusing to even allow him to buy advertising space.

This is not something unique to Don Brash or Stuff. The media cry they are unprofitable and need taxpayers to bail them out (thanks Labour for $50 million) yet they often refuse paid advertising from centre-right organisations.

Off memory the NZTU, Sensible Sentencing Trust, Family First and others have all had paid advertisements decline because the media company in question disagrees with the advertisement. And not once. Media are overtly hostile to CR ads in a way they never are to CL ads.

Now the media companies as private companies have every right to decline advertising. But we should be aware that this means they are not in anyway neutral reporters of news. They are a company running an agenda, and become close to political actors in their own right. And when they cry poor, we should tell them not to bludge off taxpayers.