The political backbiting continued last night as the UBP denied reversing its stance on CITV ¿ Government's television station.

Government claimed Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley and his Party were backtracking over their opposition to the station after the UBP said: "No one is disputing the value of cultural and educational programming."

Douglas DeCouto, UBP candidate for Southampton East, said yesterday: "PLP statements that the United Bermuda Party is against education television because it will shut down Government TV are way off the mark and deliberately misleading.

"It is preposterous to say we're against educational television. Nothing could be further from the truth. What is at issue for us is not educational TV or cultural TV, but Government TV.

"If Government produces educational and cultural programmes, they can be broadcast on existing local stations such as ZBM, VSB and Fresh TV, through arrangements that guarantee regular airings.

"We do not need to spend taxpayer dollars to set up and run a Government television station to air these programmes when it can be done by existing stations - stations that could use the business.

"There is a question of priorities here, and it centres on the best use of taxpayer dollars. Do people want Government TV or housing; Government TV or a St. George's Police Station?"

He said: "To twist this issue into a claim that the United Bermuda Party is against educational TV indicates desperation on the part of the PLP - anything, it seems, to pick a fight."

In a statement yesterday, the PLP said: "Just over two months ago, Michael Dunkley said: 'I want to make it perfectly clear here today... we will shut down Government TV.'

"Contrary to their most recent statement, the UBP made it perfectly clear that they stand in staunch opposition to both Government TV and the educational programmes that it would run.

"Just two months ago, the UBP's Bob Richards said: 'We have a problem with the Government committing millions of dollars to TV programmes...' It's telling that just over two months after standing in staunch opposition to both Government TV and the programmes that it funds - they've completely reversed their position. In their most recent release, they reversed course saying: 'No one is disputing the value of cultural and educational programming.'

"Bob Richards is. He had a problem with it just over two months ago. But, now that the UBP's primary criticism of Government TV - that it would be a 'propaganda' outlet - has been thoroughly debunked, they're reversing course.

"Not only are they reversing course, but, they're haphazardly throwing out a new position which assumes that outlets such as ZBM, VSB and Fresh TV will carry programmes currently featured on Government TV. Has the UBP talked to these stations? Have they agreed to carry Government TV programming?

"How can the UBP boycott the station while also being in support of the station's educational and cultural programming?

"With all this flip-flopping we don't really know where the UBP stands."

Contrary to the PLP's claims however, Sen. Richards does not have "a problem" with 'cultural and educational programming'. The actual comment he made to The Royal Gazette was: "We have a problem with the Government committing millions of dollars to TV programmes when it could be spending those dollars on real programmes to help people. This is a self-centred undertaking that has nothing to do with improving the lives of people."

Last night Mr. Dunkley also denied 'flip-flopping'. He told The Royal Gazette: "I haven't flip-flopped. It's the PLP which is flip-flopping and making this a bigger issue that it is.

"This Government is about spending money on political propaganda. They haven't done this so far with CITV because we've called their bluff on it. The education programmes I am very supportive of, but I believe that revenue could be used in other areas. In a small area like Bermuda there is not need to have Government TV. We could put the money to use in housing, healthcare, and public safety instead."

CITV began broadcasting on September 30 this year with a budget of $690,000 and five full-time staff. The station was also allocated $840,000 by Government last year, and must comply with Broadcast Commission and Ministry of Telecommunications regulations.

No viewing figures are yet available.