Nine Entertainment has defended its decision to publish a $200,000 advertisement from Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party on the front page of The Age, stating that any other decision could imply endorsement of the political advertisement’s sentiments. However, The Age staff and readers have criticized the decision, arguing that the advertisement, which asserts the existence of only two genders, is simplistic and harmful to many. The Age also criticized Palmer as a “persistent thwart on the foot of Australian politics” in an editorial. Nine’s executive editor and managing director publishing argued that rejecting political ads could lead to accusations of endorsement and imply the newspaper’s participation in the political debate. Despite backlash, including hundreds of complaints, the decision to publish the advertisement was made after deep consideration and aligns with the Age’s charter of editorial independence.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/12/nine-defends-front-page-trumpet-of-patriots-ad-after-backlash-from-readers-and-staff