During my radio debate with Peter Levy about the state of Keighley Town Centre, he asked a fairly pointed question. Actually it was more of a statement. " As editor of the Keighley News you would say that wouldn't you."

In the short time available I tried to reassure him that his comment was not correct. The reason I mention this is that there still seems to be the impression in some quarters that we are dictated to by advertisers or organisations and stututory bodies in order to maintain our advertising revenue and sales figures. Not true.

The policy of the newspaper is spelled out below - but decisions on content and comment are down to the team here. Our local policy is to be positive and upbeat about the area and its future whenever possible. As we said last week, this area has a tremendous future - if only more and more people would believe it.

In the last week I have received several letters and phone calls from a variety of people on a range of subjects, bending my ear about the content of the paper and the way we presented one story in particular.

I have to confess that my normally calm exterior was shattered by the claims of one caller. I fiercely defend this paper - well as editor I would, wouldn't I? - from unjustified criticism. As an old hand once advised me. "Make sure you don't get too cosy. You'll find you'll do a lot better if you keep rocking the boat.

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