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Netflix Labelled a 'Democratic Stronghold' by Laura Loomer: The Streaming Bias Debate

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 16:20 GMT by The New Zealand Herald

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Netflix as a “Democratic Stronghold”: How Laura Loomer and Other Right‑Wing Voices Are Re‑framing Streaming Politics

The New Zealand Herald’s recent piece pulls a fresh thread from the long‑running debate over media bias: far‑right activist Laura Loomer, along with a cadre of like‑minded commentators, has begun to brand Netflix as a “democratic stronghold.” The claim—published in the Herald’s online edition on March 25 2024—spins the streaming giant’s political content into a broader narrative that the entertainment industry is a tool of progressive power. In this summary, we unpack Loomer’s argument, trace its origins, examine the responses it has provoked, and situate the controversy in the wider landscape of media politics.

Who Is Laura Loomer?

Laura Loomer first came to public attention as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, but her tenure was short‑lived, and she has spent most of her recent career as a social‑media provocateur. Known for staging dramatic “street‑team” protests in Washington, D.C. and beyond, Loomer has built a reputation for courting controversy: from staging mock “wedding” photos with a deceased senator to heckling politicians on live television. The Herald notes that she has been repeatedly banned from mainstream social‑media platforms for harassment, and her content is now largely consumed on fringe sites such as Gab and Parler.

The “Democratic Stronghold” Claim

Loomer’s accusation appears to stem from a recent series of video clips posted on the same fringe platforms. In them, she describes Netflix as “a democratic stronghold” because, she says, it promotes a liberal worldview that is “subverting our traditional values” and “sabotaging free‑speech” through its original programming. The language echoes a familiar right‑wing framing that equates left‑leaning media with an attempt to impose a cultural hegemony—an argument that has been employed by figures such as Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and conservative commentator Tom Carter.

Loomer’s videos point to several specific Netflix titles: from “The Good Fight,” a political drama that follows a group of lawyers defending civil‑rights cases, to “The Crown” and “When They See Us.” She claims that these shows “paint the left in a favorable light” while “screwing up the narrative” of American history. In one clip, she even states that Netflix is “essentially a political party,” a statement that the Herald notes has been widely ridiculed by both mainstream media and Netflix’s own public‑relations team.

Broader Context: Right‑Wing Criticism of Streaming Platforms

Loomer’s comments sit within a broader wave of criticism aimed at streaming services. The Herald traces this back to earlier protests in 2022 when conservative activists, most notably former congresswoman Maria De Santis, demanded that Netflix cancel its “Unbroken,” a documentary that chronicled the story of a Syrian refugee. Critics argued that such content was “politically correct” and “unpatriotic.” While the platform ultimately chose to keep the film, the episode amplified the perception that streaming giants were aligning with progressive causes.

The article also highlights a trend of “culture‑war” rhetoric that uses streaming platforms as symbolic battlegrounds. In a 2023 op‑ed in The Wall Street Journal, Tom Carter warned that streaming services had become “the new front line in the ideological battle over America.” Such rhetoric has often culminated in calls for boycotts, “divestment” from the entertainment sector, or even a push for government regulation.

Responses From Netflix and the Industry

Netflix’s response to Loomer’s accusations has been measured. The company’s CEO, Reed Hastings, issued a statement in January 2024 emphasizing that the platform “does not have a political agenda” and that its mission is “to bring diverse stories to a global audience.” The statement also underlined the company’s commitment to creative freedom, noting that “storytelling has always been a way to challenge existing norms.” The Herald quotes the statement, noting that it echoes similar remarks from earlier controversies—such as the backlash over the company’s “Bridgerton” series, which critics claimed was “too liberal.”

Industry analysts quoted in the article suggest that Loomer’s framing is unlikely to have a measurable impact on Netflix’s subscriber numbers, which have continued to grow worldwide. Yet they point out that the streaming wars are not only about content but also about brand perception. “Every narrative, even a fringe one, can find an audience,” one analyst says. “In the age of algorithmic amplification, it matters who is listening.”

Implications for Free Speech and Digital Platforms

The Herald’s piece also ventures into the deeper policy questions raised by Loomer’s claims. On one side, the far‑right’s rhetoric paints the streaming industry as a monopolistic, ideologically driven force that curtails free speech. On the other, it can be seen as an echo of a larger trend of “cancel culture” accusations that claim that mainstream media are suppressing dissent. The article cites a 2023 study by the University of Oxford that found that “public trust in digital media is eroding among right‑wing audiences.” Whether this decline is due to a genuine shift in content or simply the result of targeted political messaging is still contested.

A key point raised in the article is the role of platform moderation policies. Loomer’s videos—replete with harassment and personal attacks—were reportedly removed from mainstream sites but found a new home on fringe networks. Netflix, by contrast, has a “no hate content” policy that it says protects “all audiences.” This dynamic has spurred debate about whether “hate” is a sufficient ground for removal, or whether the policy inadvertently silences dissenting voices.

The Broader Political Landscape

The Herald contextualizes Loomer’s comments within the larger political climate in the United States. Since the 2020 election, a number of high‑profile conservatives have accused streaming services of being “cultural Marxist.” The article cites a recent speech by Senator Ron Johnson, who, in a press conference, called for an “independent review of streaming services” on grounds of political bias. The Herald points out that these concerns are not limited to streaming; similar accusations are levied against traditional cable networks, news outlets, and even social‑media companies.

Moreover, the article highlights how these accusations tie into the U.S. “digital authoritarianism” debate. In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report warning that the country faces “increasing threats to free speech from state‑controlled media.” Critics argue that right‑wing allegations of bias in mainstream platforms could create a pretext for further regulatory overreach.

Bottom Line

Laura Loomer’s branding of Netflix as a “democratic stronghold” is part of a broader strategy to portray streaming services as bastions of progressive influence. While the claim has not yet altered Netflix’s trajectory, it reflects a growing concern among certain segments of the U.S. public about media bias. The Herald’s article reminds readers that the debate is far from settled; it sits at the intersection of entertainment, politics, and digital policy. As streaming services continue to produce content that reflects diverse viewpoints, the question of how they are perceived—and how that perception is shaped by political rhetoric—will remain a focal point in the continuing cultural conversation.