Message Space gets ad revenues because it corners the market to online politicos in Westminster. It’s supposed to be cross-party. So the advertisers know that they are not being party-political and can spend their campaign budgets safe in the knowledge that they are being even handed. A few days ago Message Space started running ads for Tory TV, 18 Doughty Street. So, Labour blogs that subscrbe to message space started getting adverts on their site attacking Ken Livingstone. Well, The Daily has had enough. I’m not surprised. Bloggers4Labour is partly funded through ad revenues from Message Space. I think Labour Bloggers should come together to ensure that the bloggers4labour site can be removed from the tyranny of those adverts. Similarly, I think that the genuine companies and charities that advertise on Message Space would want to know that the medium is being used to attack the democratically elected Mayor of London.
Copyblogger theme design by Chris Pearson | Hosted by ENTANET
31 comments ↓
Everyone on MessageSpace can opt-out of ads as the Daily says. If someone doesn’t want to run an advert pointing out Livingstone’s decision to cosy up to homophobic peddlers of medieval violence and call them moderate, or entertain and praise Communist dictators around the world, then so be it. As Nick Coehnhas so eloquently pointed out, the Left has totally lost it’s way, and supporting Livingstone is exactly the kind of thing he is referring to.
Nick Coehnhas so eloquently pointed out, the Left has totally lost it’s way,
That would be the same incoherent apology for a book that got slated then? Cohen’s problems are widely known. Just another one who is still blaming the left for his supporting of the bungled Iraq conflict. He should choose his allies more carefully in future.
That would be the same incoherent apology for a book that got slated then?
I don’t really want to get into this, but – show me a political book that hasn’t been slated by people who feel threatened by it. Also, why do people say “predictable”, or “incoherent”, or “…-wing”, and never “untrue”?
[i]“So, Labour blogs that subscirbe to message space started getting adverts on their site attacking Ken Livingstone.”[/i]
Perhaps that’s because it is [i]“cross-party”[/i], as you said yourself. That means you don’t just get content that you agree with, but from across the political spectrum. Therefore I find your outrage amusing, but sadly typical of the left.
Ian
â€So, Labour blogs that subscribe to message space started getting adverts on their site attacking Ken Livingstone.â€
Perhaps that’s because it is â€cross-partyâ€, as you said yourself. That means you don’t just get content that you agree with, but from across the political spectrum. Therefore I find your outrage amusing, but sadly typical of the left.
Ian
tyger, I note you ignored the stuff about Livingstone. I shall assume that you agree with me on that point.
I see you;ve signed the Euston Manifesto tyger, so I’m not assuming now, but presuming, that you definitely agree with the points about Livingstone.
Well, I’ll gladly pay £1 a month to keep the site up and running and I’m not sure why most others on the B4L blogroll wouldn’t be willing to do so as well. With the number of bloggers on there, that should go some way to covering costs. What do you think?
dizzy,
Are you trying to trip me up?
B4L,
I don’t feel threatened by Nick’s book. Why would I? I tend to agree with nuances of Nick’s view, but I still feel the book (which I have read) is spiked with bitterness. Overwhelmingly Nick’s problems with the left are his own problems with his own past.
My views on Iraq have been expressed on my blog many times, and many times you have taken issue with them. I am more than happy to take on the topic again, in full, on a forum of your choice.
£1 a month from 100 or so Socialists. It would hardly be worth B4L’s bother collecting those measly sums. Back to the drawing board scrybe.
These lefties, they don’t like it up ‘em, do they?!
The sands are shifting. Get used to it.
Dizzy,
I don’t have much time for Ken, like Cohen’s ally Bush, he’s happy to associate with totalitarians, but then again I don’t live in London. Mind you, I don’t have much time for the pseudo-journalism at Chez 18DS either, see here.
I suspect that Mr Livingstone has dealt with more steely opponents than your goodself Iain. Frankly, he’s probably never heard of you or 18 Doughty Street. And as many of my colleagues in Labour know to their cost, the more you attack him, the more the people of London defend him.
Tom, you may well be right. But I think the public mood is now different.
Out of interest Iain, what do you base this assumption on?
probably the Mayor’s own polling data which was released today showing him at his lowest ever popularity rating since taking office with a majority being dissatisifed with him. Hardly a surprise given he has done the opposite of what he said he would in his manifesto e: prices abd the ccharge.
May I thank Iain and PT for their useful contributions to this discussion. They have aptly demonstrated just how competent, and able to help, Conservatives generally are.
@Praguetory.
You’re joking right? 1200 quid a year is more than enough to cover costs of a website like B4L
Sorry, I thought these subs were intended to keep an admin person employed.
“Tom, you may well be right. But I think the public mood is now different”.
Dear Iain, why don’t you try and find yourself a nice Tory candidate before predicting the end of Ken.
Oh, what’s that I hear you say? That you can’t find anyone to stand for the Tories in London who is capable of beating Ken?
Well, I think that just sums it up, doesn’t it?
“Similarly, I think that the genuine companies and charities that advertise on Message Space would want to know that the medium is being used to attack the democratically elected Mayor of London.”
If they’re fine with using Google Ads – which (cover your eyes, Tom!) lets people attack and promote allsorts – I don’t think they’re going to be as shocked as you are that Message Space is genuinelly cross-party…as you, er, said in your own post.
Love the “democratically elected” modifier, though – hilariously reminiscent of what lots of people still say about Hugo Chavez and Saddam…
Jo, I haven’t predicted the end of Ken. I have merely wished it, along with several million others. As for getting a candidate I gather there are quite a few people who wish to do it. I shall be interviewing one of them next week on 18 Doughty Street – Steve Norris.
Other recent advertisers include War on Want, Friends of the Earth, the Co-Op, the Social Market Foundation as well as commercial organisations.
Anyone of our publishing bloggers can opt out of any advertising they don’t feel comfortable with at any time.
We invite publishers to indicate their preferences (if any) at the outset and are happy to accomodate their wishes. Indeed some Labour bloggers have already indicated that they do not wish to take adverts from particular candidates for the Deputy Labour leadership election.
We are a purely commercial venture breaking new ground in online advertising across the political spectrum.
Gosh, don’t upset Iain Dale, he’ll throw sand in your face.
Jackie,
Adsense also allows the users to stop certain types of ads appearing.
Jackie,
Love the “democratically elected†modifier, though – hilariously reminiscent of what lots of people still say about Hugo Chavez and Saddam… ~ Jackie
Care to explain this statement in regard to Ken Livingstone. In what way are you suggesting that the London Mayoral elections are comparable to Saddam’s dictatorship.
Please, I’d love to know your reasoning.
Ah Steve Norris. He’s a fresh face isn’t he.
It comes to something when amazing Ian Dale has to advertise his woeful ‘tv’ programme on other people’s blogs.
Tom,
Lovely site, never had the pleasure before. Two things – I don’t see why attacking someone who is democratically elected is necessarily a bad thing? Indeed, it is surely nonsense to suggest that is – otherwise negative campaigns against incumbents would be off limits?
If they want to opt-out, they can opt-out. If they really have a problem they can get rid of MessageSpace all together?
RS
the more you attack him, the more the people of London defend him.
Tell that to anyone trying to run a retail business in Kensington after Monday, you smug Labour bastards.
[...] on the Internet since the last biggest grudge match is over. Whilst I still have reservations about Labour people on Messagespace, the outbreak of unity is to be welcomed. And even the old bruiser himself agrees. There’s [...]
Leave a Comment