Media moguls have long cherished their access to ministers, but until now, their interest in local government has been confined to its use as a source for stories, rather than as a rival.Yet culture secretary, Andy Burnham, has been dragged into a row which pits local government against an industry in crisis - and both sides are lobbying hard.At the centre of it all are the newspapers sent out to residents by councils to update them on what they are doing in their communities, and key advice such as how to contact officers.The newspaper industry has claimed that the increasing number of publications, and their decision to take paid-for advertising, is unfair competition, as well as a threat to democracy.
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