They don't mind using one opinion to beat up on someone they don't like, and then come to the defense of those that they like by hiding behind the exact opposite opinion. It happens all the time, especially in small town community newspapers. Recently, one small town newspaper began a campaign to bash Dennis Brennan. He's the attorney for Oak Lawn High School District 229 and his brother is the outgoing Supervisor of Orland Township. Maybe one or the other voted against a move to buy more advertising in the newspaper.
Newspapers are like that.
Do something against their best interests, and they will come up with every Free Speech argument why you have to go. Like I said, newspapers do it all the time. This time, though, the paper is in favor of allowing people to bring their politics into their local schools. In response, the board adopted a resolution banning political buttons and materials from being brought to the school. Now that it is after the election, the school board has changed its posture, with the backing of the local newspaper that supported their political slate.