Happy anniversary! Three years ago today, Townhall Media and its sites launched the VIP and VIP Gold programs, including right here at HotAir.

Little did we know at the time just how crucial that decision would be. Within a year, we saw mainstream media collude with social media platforms to suppress a legitimate story about Hunter Biden’s laptop and Biden family corruption, joined by the Department of Justice and intel “analysts.” They promoted the accusation that it was “Russian disinformation,” only to concede later that they had no evidence to support it – and that the information was legit.

The next year, the same corporate establishment media and Big Tech colluded to suppress criticism and dissent over COVID-19 pandemic policies and claims. Claims to police “disinformation” led to de-platforming over arguments that later turned out to be prescient, especially on school shutdowns, mask effectiveness, vaccine efficacy, and so on.

And just this past week, we have discovered that social media platforms and other industries are colluding with the Department of Homeland Security to “shape” debate and limit dissent to suit the current administration. The Intercept’s Ken Klippenstein and Lee Fang uncovered their plans to intervene in online debates and discussions “on a wide range of topics, including ‘the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, racial justice, U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the nature of U.S. support to Ukraine.'”

For those who have been VIP members since the beginning or at any time in the past three years, thank you. Our vital reporting and analysis through the Covid pandemic, 2020 election, draconian lockdowns, and Big Tech censorship would not have been possible without your support.

In this increasingly authoritarian environment, we need independent voices to call out the abuses – and the mainstream media has shown more interest in collusion than in exposure.

Our VIP and VIP Gold members are fighting back against this encroaching censorship regime by investing in HotAir and our sister sites. This allows us to defy efforts to limit debate and criticism based on the whims of the swamp. And it also allows us to bring our members a lot of new and exclusive content as well!

• Our new video series, “The Amiable Skeptics,” featuring Adam Baldwin and myself – and an unfettered and unafraid approach to today’s top issues. (Latest episode – the speech police!)
• Duane Patterson’s expert analysis of issues and elections, based on his close connections to politicos and policymakers
• Veteran reporter and columnist Tom Jackson bringing us the inside scoop from Florida, ground zero in the midterms and 2024
• Our weekly VIP Gold live chats with Bearing Arms Managing Editor Cam Edwards – the most fun hour of the week!
• David Strom, Jazz Shaw, and I provide deeper dives into the big issues as well

Membership also helps support our midterm coverage and the upcoming 2024 presidential race. HotAir and Townhall Media will bring you unrivaled analysis of all the races while spending the latter half of the Biden-Harris administration demanding accountability and fighting against their attempts to shut down their opposition.

We can only continue to succeed with your support – your current readership, and hopefully, your decision to join the team as members. On the anniversary of our launch, we’re offering a special promo code for everyone. Use promo code VIPWEEK to receive a 45% discount on your membership. Join the movement for independence and liberty!

On behalf of the whole team, with many thanks for what has come and in anticipation for what comes next, thank you all!

Ed Morrissey
Managing Editor, HotAir