Why Didn't Harry Get Promoted?

[Crazy 4 Xmas Lights]

Yes, but even if so, that doesn't indicate malevolence. They're trying to write a story and get s script out fast. Sometimes multiple scripts, while aiming for very episodic framework.

The reason I see malevolent intent with Harry is that when people started complaining about it, they didn't just fix it. They clung to their "somebody gotta be duh ensign" stupidity, with the intensity of a toddler who's picked up someone else's teddy bear. It was important to them. And why, exactly? They had to know that it was stupid for a 6-year Starfleet veteran to still be an ensign, when every other recurring ensign in previous series had moved on go better things. Obviously, they wanted some specific result. And if you type "Harry kim meme" into Google, I think it becomes obvious that they got that result.

Further, since they've had 24 years and five Trek series to fix it and have steadfastly clung to it, even denying Garrett Wang appearances on PIC and PRO... it's still a really big deal to them.

 

[Christmas Canon Spock]

They had to know that it was stupid for a 6-year Starfleet veteran to still be an ensign, when every other recurring ensign in previous series had moved on go better things

Why did they have to know that?

This assumption of knowledge is not helping matters at all. Yes, they had the "someone had to be an ensign" idea and it was one they found important enough to not mess up the status quo. Do I agree with it? No. Do I feel no need to assign malice? Yes!

 

[Adventerprise]

They clung to their "somebody gotta be duh ensign" stupidity, with the intensity of a toddler who's picked up someone else's teddy bear.

They already had a quick-growing child aboard. Speed Naomi's development a bit more and make her Voyager's acting ensign, while Harry gets a promotion at the start of a new season.

 

[Crazy 4 Xmas Lights]

Or, Neelix looks pretty snazzy in that gold uniform and Seven is even hotter in Starfleet blue than she was in those catsuits. Or, just pay more attention to some of the other crew. Any of them could be the ensign that they don't actually need (TNG's main cast was ensign-free after Wes left) but think they do.

It was totally doable. And failing that, they could have dropped Harry's name on any later Trek series, assigning him an appropriate rank. 7 years is plenty bad, but 31 just shameful.