I was pleasantly surprised this week by the number of expressions of support for the editorial team which has come under a great deal of pressure recently, especially over the schools' review issue.

Dealing with complaints and differing views goes with the territory of being a journalist. But hear accusations against your newspaper which in turn reflect on your own credibility, and keeping quiet is not the easiest situation to handle. But the team here is professional enough not to react. It's part of my job to do it on their behalf.

Back to my days on the road as a reporter, I well remember one scribe jumping up at a meeting and joining in a heated discussion about the accuracy of a story in his newspaper. I don't know who was more surprised, the chairman of the meeting or the journalist. In that instance the newspaper had printed an alternative view.

What still amazes me - and it shouldn't after all the years I have been in the job - is how anyone can criticise a newspaper for publishing a view opposite to theirs.

The editorial team here does a great job and it was good this week to get as many bouquets as brickbats.

It is a pleasure to be at the head of such a group of committed people.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.