On: Google bans two websites from its ad platform over protest articles

[eveningcoffee]

This is just a comment of a bystander (from EU).

The media (at least in US) appears to be heavily biased.

What I understand this heavily biased post is saying is that the opposing media is so heavily biased that it feels like lying to them.

Is it wrong to say this?

I do not see it right that one media outlet has the power to shut down opposing media outlets.

This is not cool. This is very dangerous.

[supercanuck → eveningcoffee]

The Federalist is a media company paying google money to advertise digital billboards that its competitor media companies are liars.

Google is choosing to not take the Federalists money and doesn’t want to put up Federalists billboards on its property.

Does Google have the right not to accept The Federalists money?

Frame it like that and I think the problem becomes clear.

Edit: I have this backwards, I think my point still stands but I was wrong on the transactional aspect

[leereeves → supercanuck]

> Google is choosing to not take the Federalists money and doesn’t want to put up Federalists billboards on its property.

That's factually incorrect. You have it backwards: Google was giving The Federalist money to advertise digital billboards on The Federalist.

Do they have the legal right to do so? Perhaps, at least until they're declared a utility and regulated, but this probably requires a lawyer to answer, because in some cases political opinions are protected in California.

Now a question for you: do people have the right to be outraged about it, and frightened by the threat Google poses to free communication and thus democracy?

[supercanuck → leereeves]

I was wrong on the details.

To your other point, yes I most certainly do.

[leereeves → supercanuck]

If you do think people have the right to be outraged, I don't understand why you said: "Frame it like that and I think the problem becomes clear."

[eveningcoffee → supercanuck]

You can frame it like this but this was not what happened.

It was not Google that came up with this idea. It was one media outlet that is opposing another media outlet. Google is just a tool in this case.

You are clearly not balanced in your opinion in this matter and you are looking for excuses how to make it look right.