IT’S been another case of bash-the-media in the corridors of doom this week, with bosses at County Hall taking their turn to churn out the drivel.

A watchdog-style panel which examines Worcestershire’s economy and environment came together on Wednesday with John Hobbs, the county’s roads director, grilled by politicians.

With roads satisfaction down seven per cent, and more people saying they are “very dissatisfied” with the state of the highways, he was made to sweat considerably.

But The Source thought something untoward was in the offing when he began to utter words about people “being influenced by something” he could not control, conjuring up images of a greater, mythical being, somehow able to turn people into sheep, chanting “I’m not happy” all at once.

When pressed as to what this mysterious being might, be, you guessed it: his line of attack was us, suggesting “the media” could be the reason why more drivers say they are dissatisfied.

According to Mr Hobbs, our roads are the envy of many other parts of the country, but outside “influences” are distorting people’s perceptions.

Thankfully, many members of the panel seemed a little bemused by the defence, with Councillor Graham Vickery saying it’s more likely down to drivers actual experiences.

Indeed, the drivers who have contacted this newspaper in recent months, pictured alongside awful potholes they’ve careered over, didn’t make it up.

Coun Vickery, from Labour, also suggested Mr Hobbs or his staff get “on a bicycle” and cycle around the county, to see what their opinion is afterwards.

The Source would be impressed if Mr Hobbs was to get on a bicycle and brave the elements, after all on his £124,000 salary not only could he afford a car, but a top-of-the-range one, at your expense!

* THERE’S always been something of a divide between councillors and MPs, including those from the same party.

It’s the Have v the Have Nots, with one side deemed well-off, pampered and stuck in the Westminster bubble while their party colleagues on councils view themselves as over worked, under valued and often positioned as scapegoats for national policies.

Tory Councillor Anthony Blagg heard your Worcester News was giving away £10,000 as part of our relaunch.

“Have you not thought of just giving the £10K to MPs,” he said.

“They think they all need it.”