Who's Best in Cardigan?

I was incensed by a recent 'News' article in the Tivy Side Advertiser, see link
http://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/8874017.Best_loved_businesses/
The article was reporting on the result of a survey of local business customers to find the 'Best Loved Business' in Cardigan and Teifi Valley. Initially I was mystified by this because, as a local business owner, I had not heard of any such survey being carried out and was upset that I had missed out on an opportunity to be part of such a survey. Reading further through the article it became clear that the survey was not open to all businesses in Cardigan and Teifi Valley at all. It became obvious that the survey only involved clients of 'TheBestOf' Cardigan - a 'Paid-for' directory of local businesses. So, the whole article is, in reality, an advertising feature for 'TheBestOf' and their clients. I believe the Tivy Side Advertiser should have made it clear that the article was an advertisement - not News.

I feel quite strongly that this reporting has mis-represented the majority of brilliant Cardigan businesses that do a fantastic job for their customers. These businesses had no opportunity to enter into such a survey. I must add that I do not suggest that the businesses mentioned in the article are not good also,.. I know they do a great job for their customers too.

My argument is that the best of anything relating to Cardigan businesses should be open to all and the Tivy Side Advertiser should make this clear and add a note on the website article saying it was a survey of 'TheBestOf' clients only.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is now responsible for internet website standards and all website claims need to fair and accurate. I feel that a directory that claims to list The Best Of businesses may need to substantiate their listings in a more fair and accurate way.

We all know how web directories work and how most sell their lists to others - that's how they make more revenue. However, there are more cost effective ways of promoting your business locally using free directories such as westwalesindex.co.uk or freeindex.co.uk or hotfrog.co.uk or, Google Maps / Places. With these free directories, customers can write reviews without needing to be members and agreeing to 'TheBestOf' terms and conditions.

So, come on Tivy Side lets be fair to all the brilliant Cardigan Traders and Businesses and make sure what you publish is actually real news and not a disguised advertisement.

As for the inferences espoused by 'TheBestOf' Directories - what is the ASA complaint procedure,... oh I think this is Step 1 - http://www.asa.org.uk/Complaints/How-to-complain/Online-Form/Step1.aspx