I have a competitor who just seems to be in google news results every 2nd say, and with nothinh consequential to say. - just simple "who cares" news items about their own sites. are they paying? is there a way to find out? why should I have to pay for a news service? i just want to be on an even playing field with them
I don't think they can pay and get that. How about rate of updating new news in that site. That makes difference.
Don't think they can pay for that, however, try to use RSS, get up in the rankings and the news aggregators might place you on better positions.
Hire an expert for press releases. A week back someone was offering such service. You will have to search the forum.