A municipal government in central China's Hunan Province recently was found to have posted commercial advertisements on its official website, rousing heated public debate about whether such ads were appropriate.

The local government said it made no difference whether commercial advertisements appeared on government websites or elsewhere such as public transportation. But many people believe the posting of commercial ads on government websites will tarnish the government's image.

A commentary in Guangzhou Daily argues that government websites should focus on public service, not commercial profits from selling advertisements. It says government websites are different from ordinary media, because they are a platform for issuing local public information and news about the government's administrative affairs as well as a means of obtaining public opinion.

The commentary goes on to say that many local government websites are not well organized, because some of them place more attention on appearance than on content and seldom update their information, while others merely eulogize achievements of government officials.

The commentary quotes some experts who say government websites should constantly release information that is closely related to people's livelihoods. Such information should include, for instance, the addresses and functions of government departments, time and places of government meetings that are open to the public, and help for the homeless.

Because many local governments are now working towards becoming more service-oriented, the paper suggests that they first establish service-oriented government websites.