SOCIAL media will not be sufficient to communicate left-wing messages in Britain’s hostile news environment, a packed Morning Star fringe meeting at TUC Congress heard today.

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke praised the paper’s detailed coverage of industrial disputes and campaigns, highlighting the Star’s coverage of the 700-day oil workers strike against Exxon Mobil and UGL/Cimic in Australia.

Morning Star editor Ben Chacko said: “Some say the development of social media has broken the power of the traditional press.