It is apparent to many readers that The Australian bolsters its own ideological narratives by selecting letters for publication almost entirely supporting its editorial line, even resorting to putting some letter-writers on high rotation. This creates a false impression of grass-roots support, and is an example of what is known as astroturfing.

Given that recent spampaigns included alleged bias at the ABC, academic freedom issues at Sydney University and free speech concerns around anti-discrimination law, this shows jaw-dropping hypocrisy.

I wonder if Janet Albrechtsen (The Australian, “Leftie insiders keep Aunty locked into groupthink”, 12/12) is aware of the irony of citing letters published by The Australian as evidence of genuine widespread concern about bias at her employer’s competitor, the ABC?

Her own evidence for this supposed bias is a three-to-two left-right ratio on some ABC opinion programs. Albrechtsen may be accustomed to positive discrimination for right-wingers at The Oz, but out in the real world of journalism – unfiltered by hand-picking of conservative commentators – that proportion is about right. Look it up.

The Australian’s opinion editor, Nick Cater, tries to explain away the grassroots reaction against Alan Jones with the jarring assertion that “social media…are the domain of insiders” (“They shop, they vote and they listen to Alan Jones”, 8/10). Social media are freely available to everyone, unlike the tightly controlled messages of traditional media. For example, callers to Jones’ show, whom Cater disingenuously cites as evidence of Jones’ support among “outsiders”, are carefully vetted before being allowed on air to ensure they will toe the Jones line. If any others slip through, Jones’ finger is ready on the red button. Talkback radio has always been phoney and will not survive the more democratic new media.

There is a striking contrast between the justifiably cynical reception of Labor’s “Real Julia” rebranding by The Australian and other media, and their uncritical regurgitation of the Liberals’ “Sensitive New-Age Tony” spin-fest. Frankly, it makes me want to regurgitate too.

The Australian has published a range of opinions on Alan Jones’ latest atrocity, including the perfectly valid view that he was wrong but it was free speech, and that he has apologised so let’s move on. Odd then, that The Australian did not air such views last year during its protracted, months-long crucifixion of Larissa Behrendt over an off-colour but significantly less vicious tweet.

Frank Furedi (“Don’t wink at the nudge plan”, The Australian, 5/10) paints a truly terrifying picture of a looming dystopia in which governments make people become organ donors, drive safely or give up smoking through persuasive “nudge techniques” rather than compulsion. I hereby call for a ban on all such techniques, including advertising of every kind. Or does Furedi only object when the techniques are used for the public good rather than private profit?