Buried in the 34-page policy agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is one line of particular interest to those of us working on local newspapers.

"We will impose tougher rules to stop unfair competition by local authority newspapers."

OK, I accept it's not the biggest priority facing the new coalition Government - but it is an important line.

As regular readers of this blog will know, I have a particular concern about some local authority publications on two fronts: a) They are too often propaganda sheets which pretend that everything the controlling political party does is first-class while ignoring controversies b) They use taxpayers' money to establish formidable distribution networks and then go into direct competition with local newspapers for commercial advertising.

As I've said time and time again, that can't be allowed to continue at a time when local newspapers are fighting for survival.

I was speaking at a conference on public health, organised by Darlington Partnership, yesterday and The Northern Echo was openly praised for the support it had given health organisations in their campaign to reduce smoking.

"It would have cost us a fortune if we'd had to pay for that publicity in advertising," the conference was told.

The North-East is leading the way in cutting smoking and a local newspaper has happily played its part, without asking for a penny, because it is the right thing to do.

The anti-smoking campaign, with the huge benefits that has had in terms of public health, is just one example of the value of local newspapers and why they have to be protected.

The big question is: What will these tougher Government rules be?

How will the Government stop unfair competition by local authorities which operate their publications as commercial propaganda sheets?

Will it impose a ban on all commercial advertising within those publications?

It will be interesting to see how the one line in the Government's 34-page document develops.

I just hope it isn't a throwaway line.