YESTERDAY was Trusted News Day and we went live on Facebook to answer readers’ questions. Photographer Gus Sivyer, a key member of staff on The Bolton News content desk, ran a Facebook question and answer session.

GUS’S role in The Bolton News newsroom centres on images, both stills or video, for the print and online editions of the publication.

He runs The Bolton News picture diary, making key decisions about which stories would benefit from the skills of a professional photographer, and liaising with readers and other contributors about ‘user generated content’ for the print and online editions of the publication.

In the 21st century world of publishing on multi-media platforms, Gus’ technical skills in digital and print media are vital for the production of both the print and online editions.

When he took to the Facebook ‘airwaves’ yesterday, Gus talked to readers about work in the newsroom and answered questions about the reasons why we publish some stories and not others.

The questions ranged from the serious to the lighthearted, and Gus engaged with readers with his usual good humour and well-informed opinion.

Reader, Amber Murphy asked: “Why do you continually post articles about mass litterings, particularly balloon releases? Surely, we should know better than to pollute our environment. One would have hoped you’d back the plastic clean up...”

Gus explained that we cover lots of events to keep readers informed of what happens in the Bolton area, but encouraged Amber to speak with newsdesk and also to consider sending a letter to letters@theboltonnews.co.uk to voice her opinion about a subject on which she has such strong opinions.

There was a lighter moment when Daniel Taylor posted: “Hi Gus, did it take you a while to adjust to journalism after retiring as Robocop?”

Gus replied: “It has been a challenge Daniel, but I felt it was a change I had to make.”

Garry Lee felt that The Bolton News political reporting wasn’t as “incisive” as it had been several years ago. But Gus explained that we pride ourselves scrutinising and on reporting all the issue that affect the the town in a unbiased way.

There was a discussion about the issues raised by difficult comments posted by readers on Facebook, and why some comments are deemed unacceptable for publication.

Readers who have followed this debate will know that generally Facebook is reponsible for comments posted on its pages. Complaints should be addressed to Facebook.

However, that is not to say that The Bolton News evades its responsibility for comments made on stories we share on Facebook. If readers draw our attention to comments about which they are unhappy, there are measures we can take to address them.

For instance, when we report court cases, we attach the following rider: “Please note: you commit a criminal offence if you make comments that may prejudice a trial or name victims of sex offences and, in many cases, children involved in court proceedings. Court orders may impose other restrictions as well, which you must not break. We’re posting this story because we think covering court proceedings is important, but please be careful when responding. Thank you.”

As #TrustedNewsDay says, we want readers to be assured that you can trust The Bolton News to bring you accurate and balanced reports about what is going on in the town.

We are always keen to hear from you, so do contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or pictures@theboltonnews.co.uk