Widely known as a conservative newspaper for most of its history, it adopted a left leaning approach from 1949.

Some of this may have been due to extra-literary factors, such as his social climbing, his vigorous self-promotion, and his politically conservative newspaper columns.

He was roasted in many quarters, not least by the more conservative newspapers.

Amongst its members were editors, journalists, publishers and businesspeople who were involved in declared conservative newspapers.

Liberal and conservative newspapers mostly supported the government's actions and the court decision, while intellectuals raised their voices in support of freedom of speech.