Council newspapers across Wales will come under closer scrutiny than ever this month.
The Comprehensive Spending Review will shine a spotlight on all such none-frontline publicly funded services.
It could mean the end - or radical changes at least - to Swansea Council's The Leader, Neath Port Talbot partnership freesheet Community Spirit and Carmarthenshire Council's Community News.
In a pincer movement, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is determined to stop taxpayers' money being spent on "frivolous town hall propaganda papers" at a time when many local papers are struggling to survive.
Banned
Under proposed new Government rules, councils will be banned from publishing newspapers in direct competition to local press.
News trade magazine Press Gazette has this week's best coverage of the issue.
It quotes Pickles as saying: "An independent local press is an essential part of our open democracy, helping local people scrutinise and hold elected councillors to account.
"The rules around council publicity have been too weak for too long allowing public money to be spent on frivolous town hall propaganda papers that have left many local newspapers looking over the abyss - weakening our free press - or to use 'hired-gun' lobbyists that operate in the shadows to bulldoze special interests through.
Focus
"The proposals I am publishing will close off these inappropriate practices and make sure that councils focus taxpayers' money on where it should be spent - protecting frontline services."
The Local Government Association argues that local authority newsletters are intended to keep residents informed about what their council was doing.
For contrasting views on the issue, read media commentator Dan Sabbagh and traditional local paper the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle.
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