Nine defends front-page Trumpet of Patriots ad after backlash from readers and staff

Media company argues rejecting ad for Clive Palmer's party in the Age could imply endorsement of political ads it chose to publish

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Nine Entertainment has defended the decision to publish an advertisement worth $200,000 from Clive Palmer's Trumpet of Patriots party on the front page of the Age, saying any other decision might imply it endorsed the sentiments of political ads.

But staff and readers have criticised the Age for running the ad, which says There are only two genders", while calling the billionaire a persistent wart on the foot of Australian politics" in an editorial on the same day.

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