Greg Sargent:
I’m told by a CNN source that the network privately pressed cable operators not to run the Media Matters ad attacking Dobbs, which pilloried his footsie with the birthers as CNN’s "Lou Dobbs problem."
Media Matters had previously booked a week’s worth of ad time on MSNBC, Fox, and CNN — during Dobbs’ show.
As Greg points out, by attempting to censor these ads, CNN can no longer claim they simply are allowing Dobbs the freedom to run his own show. If CNN thinks it's okay to squelch dissent from people who want to debunk Dobbs' birtherism, then they can't claim leaving Dobbs on the air is a principled decision.