They can’t.

Local rags provide a genuine service, a balanced view both good and bad of what is really happening in the local area.

In particular, I think the Advertiser does a great job of showcasing the many good things that go on in Salford, but they are not afraid to criticise when the right story arises.

Take this week’s addition of the Advertiser: a five-page spread about how wonderful Pendlebury Hospital was, the positive story about the head of Oasis Academy winning “headteacher of the year” and some good local sports stories.

These positive stories are interspersed with an equal amount of negative items, such as the Demi Leigh Mahon court case and more on a certain Hazel Blears.

Lastly, whoever came up with the headline for Cllr Merry’s column should be shot “We need more power disolved to our region”

I can hear that power dissolving as I type. Presumably, the headline was meant to be something along the lines of “We need more power DEVOLVING to our region”

If the headline is right, I worry about any damning report that might cross the desk of Cllr Merry – it could dissolve into thin air!

Stop me if I’m wrong, but I thought the rationale for the Liberal/Tory critique of ‘LIFE IN Salford’ was that it was a rentlessly upbeat Council propaganda sheet – not viable competition for a newspaper! I certainly don’t think for one second there’s anything reported in LIFE that threatens the Advertiser’s existence. LIFE’s function is to be informative, not to be sensationalist or to campaign on issues like the Advertiser.

As for your last paragraph, what a shock: newspaper barons want to stop local councils from publicising themselves positively so they can keep the money rolling in instead. We could have a long discussion about in whose ultimate interest it is that newspaper’s view such ‘competition’ as a threat to be tackled, rather than upping their own game. I don’t believe that newspapers watching their financial bottom line necessarily represents the public interest in this matter either.

Tom.

The recently released Digital Britain report said it would be “against the public interest” for local papers to be rendered unviable by the flight of paid-for advertising to local authority publications. The report revealed that ministers have now asked the Audit Commission – the local spending watchdog – to carry out an inquiry into the issue. It will consider whether curbs should be placed on local authorities competing for advertising revenue with the local press.

“The review noted the adverse impact on local newspapers of the increasing role of local authorities in taking paid advertising to support local authority information sheets,” said the report.

“Clearly, if such advertising grows to the extent that, coupled with other pressures on local commercial media it renders them unviable, that would be against the public interest.

“While local authority information sheets can serve a useful purpose for local residents and businesses, they will inevitably not be as rigorous in holding local institutions to account as independent local media.”

“The government is therefore inviting the Audit Commission to undertake a specific inquiry into the prevalence of this practice and if restraints should be placed on local authority activity in this field.”

The review was warmly welcomed by Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey.

She said in a statement: “Not before time the Audit Commission are to look at the travesty of local councils using tax payers money to masquerade as and compete directly with local newspapers. This must be tackled with a sense of urgency.”

it’s my view, and I hope Councillor Cooke’s, that Salford Council should work in the public interest, not against it.

It is disingenuous of you both to suggest that it is somehow the Council’s responsibility to support private sector media (Advertiser, Salford Online, Salford Star) via public funds or advertising revenue. It isn’t.

All three publications have the freedom to write what they choose, but they also have the responsibility to pay for themselves through whatever means they see fit – including attracting advertisers. I’ve asked it before elsewhere and didn’t get an answer – by how much would a Lib Dem run Council subsidise independent media in Salford?

Tom.

I can’t remember ever reading anything ‘vital’ in ‘Life’. It’s a propaganda tool used by the Labour party to maintain its foothold on the Council. And it comes out of my council tax! At best I find it irritating. At worst it’s an infuriating waste of money. Either way, it’s not a vital communication tool.