THERE is always a danger of over-reacting when a national newspaper journalist sticks the knife into the North-East.

I have, therefore, so far resisted joining in the public outpourings of grief over an article published by Andy Beckett in The Guardian a little more than a week ago.

The well-written piece drew parallels between the North-East and the bankrupt American city of Detroit but was heavily criticised for overlooking the many positives the region has to offer.

No one should pretend that the North-East doesn't have its problems. We shout about them frequently here at The Northern Echo. But those of us who live here know it is a great region, with enviable quality of life, magnificent countryside, leading businesses, and passionate people.

Mr Beckett is, though, allowed his opinion and we shouldn't howl him down just because we don't like what he has to say. In fact, we should use the article as an "how others see us" exercise and learn from what he has to say. For example, while there are many successes that Mr Beckett has overlooked – he didn't mention Nissan, Hitachi or Nifco, or how Redcar became the first steelworks in British industrial history to return to production after mothballing, nor how in Bishop Auckland, Ebac is becoming the only company in the country to make washing machines – but we also know, in our heart of hearts, that there are corners of the region which are "rust and rubble", in his phrase, and which regeneration has disappointingly bypassed.

Mr Beckett's biggest crime, apart from a few factual inaccuracies about Darlington station, was not to paint the full picture. But that is because it shows how poorly the national media covers the north as a whole, let alone the North-East.

In a frank and thoughtful piece on the furore, The Guardian's northern editor Helen Pidd wrote: "The sad truth is that, as the last staff reporter the Guardian has left in the north of England, there is no way I can do the region justice by myself...with so much to cover on my doorstep in Manchester and over the Pennines in Yorkshire, my ventures into Tyneside and Teesside and beyond are all too rare."

She puts that into context by adding that neither the Telegraph nor the Times have northern correspondents anymore, while the Independent has one journalist working outside London and having to cover Scotland as well as the vast geographical area packaged up as "the north".

And that's why the article felt like it had been written by a foreign correspondent, someone who had been despatched from the centre of civilisation to the heart of darkness with the instructions to get a snapshot of life in this strange, faraway place called the North-East. Then he rapidly returned, passport stamped at the border, to write up his thoughts in the comfort of his wine bar.

All of which leads me – surprise, surprise – to bang the drum for local papers.

I don't know a newspaper which isn't facing challenges over its resources, and having to make difficult decisions to reduce costs. But if you want an accurate, understanding view of the full picture of life in the North-East, from writers still covering local patches in more depth than any other news organisation, a local paper remains by far your best bet.

ANYONE who has ever had to install a new computer system in any business will know that it usually comes with teething problems and The Northern Echo has been no exception in the past couple of weeks.

The biggest issue has been the sports pages not fitting correctly. I apologise sincerely for any confusion and inconvenience this has caused but steps have been taken to ensure it shouldn't happen again.

We are doing our best to iron out some other gremlins and I am grateful for readers' feedback and patience.

A CASUALTY of our new puzzles page was the "On This Day" feature, detailing anniversaries and celebrity birthdays.

It was a case of not realising how popular something was until it was taken away. As a result of several calls, emails and letters, "On This Day" has no longer had its day. It's been brought back with a regular slot of Page 4.

CONGRATULATIONS to BBC Tees which has been named station of the year in the national Radio Academy Awards.

I'm delighted that the Headline Challenge, played out daily between myself and presenter Ali Brownlee on the breakfast show, was part of the winning entry.

They put forward the memorable exchanges we had regarding a story about an advertising hoarding for a kettle that had a look of Hitler.

"Hitler has only got one boil," was the headline which took the honours that day.

THE Headline Challenge will be featured in the 2014 Samaritans Big Fat Lots of Fun Quiz at Darlington College on May 28.

All the proceeds will go to Darlington and District Samaritans and entry costs £10 per person or £50 for a team of six. The action gets underway at 6.30pm and tickets are available from The Samaritans, 13 Woodland Road, Darlington, or from Gloria Wilson on 07803 581746.

The Northern Echo's finest journalists will be forming a team. They have no chance – I'm the quizmaster.