JOURNALISTS worth their salt are dedicated to getting both sides of a story.

So having put the fear of God into readers with last week’s column about the evils of Facebook and how its gruesome postings are making us feel threatened in our own front rooms, this week I’m happy to put the counter argument.

When the power of social media is harnessed for a positive endeavour then it can, at times, achieve small miracles.

Long-lost family members have been located thanks to the power of sharing information. So, too, have pets.

Few can resist a cute picture of an absent dog or cat when supported by a heart-felt plea from a distressed owner. I remember reading with anguish about a dog that had escaped onto the motorway after a crash.

He was found four days later injured and dehydrated in a ditch by people who were so touched by his plight that they left their laptops to go and look for him.

Indeed, Facebook and PETA (the People’s Ethical Treatment of Animals organisation) have recently forced High Street fashion houses to ban angora after highlighting the way it was harvested by live-skinning rabbits.

Most angora wearers weren’t even aware it came from rabbits, let alone live ones.

Criminals have been identified and cases solved thanks to the global reach of social media and the police’s increasing faith in its powers of circulation as a means of gathering evidence.

Even small-time ne’er-do-wells are beginning to fear the strong arm of Facebook more than that of the law.

But last week Facebook achieved something so amazing that it swept away the chill and misery of the tempestuous season, replacing it with a warm, fluffy feelgood blanket.

A single message from 23-year-old Nelson man Liam Canning about the plight of the homeless during the vicious weather caused a tsunami of support reminiscent of a Hollywood tearjerker.

Travelling home from London on Wild Wednesday, Liam posted his concern and his intention to give out food.

A Help the Homeless group was set up on FB — almost 1,000 people have joined it — and dozens of strangers braved gale force winds and freezing temperatures to take, food, clothing and duvets out to 110 homeless people in East Lancashire.

Up to 60 cars were driving around the streets looking for the homeless who were taking shelter where they could.

As one lady said: “I’m helping because I can. I’ve got a roof over my head and some people don’t have that luxury. This shows the good that can come from Facebook.”

That is one sentiment I would gladly share on social media.