[dillon]

While it is true that each and every newspaper has some sort of political bias, and often an agenda on certain issues, to tar the press with the same, sweeping brush is just wrong. As a regular attendee of council meetings across East Lancashire, I am aware that the local press are one of the only groups that do make an effort to attend as many meetings as they can. Radio stations, for instance, do not, and tend to cobble together news reports from the local press, meaning 'facts' can become even more debatable.
On the whole, the press must report the general 'feeling' of a council meeing, or a local issue. Often this seems to be done by guaging people's reaction to issues through monitoring the letters page, or responding to phone calls. But much is done through attending council meetings.
Despite many people's views on PB, it has to be admitted by all that when the leader of a local council comments on an issue, it will generate more interest than when a backbencher speaks. This is unfortunate, but unnavoidable. However it is also a newspaper's job to highlight issues where the counci has gone wrong. A quick search of the LET's archive of neighborhood warden stories, for instance, will show that PB has never been given an easy ride. And just look at the Accy Ob's recent storys on the Panopticons.
My advice would be to keep up the comments on this site, but to add to their weight by writing letters, making phone calls and attending meetings. Imagine if just 20 members of the public attended each council meeting, as is their right!