It has the latest flat screen TV, a robotic camera, ceiling microphones, teleprompters, stage lighting and links directly to CITV.

Yesterday the new Government media room was officially unveiled and named after Alfred Brownlow (A.B.) Place, one of the founders of the now defunct newspaper The Bermuda Recorder.

Premier Ewart Brown emerged from a door and strode on to the stage where the children of A.B. Place stood while the members of Cabinet stood in the audience section of the room.

Standing behind the podium, with the Government seal on it and Bermuda flag to his left, the Premier spoke of Mr. Place's important role in publicising the social issues of the day.

Mr. Place founded The Bermuda Recorder in 1925 after The Royal Gazette did not print a Letter to the Editor he wrote in support of Marcus Garvey, a founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.

He founded the paper along with Henry Hughes, David Augustus, James Rubain and Joaquin Martain. He held various jobs during his 46 years at the Recorder including manager and printer.

Mr. Place has been hailed as a pioneer and a relentless advocate for the rights of black Bermudians. In 1974 he was awarded the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour.

At a news conference called by Dr. Brown yesterday he was asked how much the new room cost. Dr. Brown said he did not know, but that the information would be available.

Two Department of Communications officers did not respond to requests for the cost of the media room.

When asked how often it would be used he said: "With this busy Government, we will be using it lots."

But it emerged after that some Ministers will continue to use the Senate if they want a more "round table" look, according to the Premier's press secretary. The Cabinet office would no longer be used for news conference as "it was never meant for that purpose".

News conferences given in the A.B. Place news room will be shown on Government's channel CITV and the Premier said it would carry live updates during emergencies such as a hurricane.