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?

It seems Jim Ball (Letters, 4/10) has already decided the outcome of his proposed Abbott-led inquiry into the ABC: a “clean-out of the organisation from top to bottom”, and putting Alan Jones in charge of the resulting asylum. In other words, a Soviet-style political purge. Please keep these ideas coming, because as the electorate begins to apprehend such prospects, the likelihood of an Abbott government diminishes.

Paul Kelly shows commendable candour as a conservative commentator by admitting that “Gillard has long been subject to unfair, often misogynistic attacks” (“Hypocrisy rules but both sides of politics are courting danger”, The Australian, 3/10). But clearly he has little time to listen to the radio, if he can seriously assert that “Labor, in effect, has declared war on Jones and 2GB”. This is back-to-front. For years now Jones and his company have been running a round-the-clock anti-Labor diatribe with no regard for balance or decency. What we are seeing now from Labor is a late defensive manoeuvre.