crimes, senators were told yesterday.

Too much "grossly offensive'' detail of court cases was reported by radio and TV announcers, Sen. Ira Philip (PLP) told the Senate.

And he said the pronunciation of presenters on local stations should be corrected.

Sen. Philip's remarks were prompted by discussion of the Broadcasting Commissioners Amendment Act 1993. The largely technical Act, which was passed unopposed, is expected to be followed in the Upper House by controversial broadcasting regulations.

Introducing the bill, Telecommunications Minister Sen. Mike Winfield defended the broadcast commissioners as a capable and independent body. Powers to vet programmes were for protection of the community, not censorship.

Sen. Alex Scott , PLP Senate leader, said Bermuda was binding itself with chains of its own making.

"We have a feeling here that our airwaves, probably because of our history, are managed in a way that works against the best interest of the free dissemination of information.'' To say the commission was independent was to ignore party affiliations and its track record. "I don't know if they have ever ruled in favour of the Opposition or the public.'' A group with such "Godlike'' powers over what people should hear should be representative of all Bermuda. "These are Government regulations as opposed to policy being set up by the media themselves,'' said Sen. Scott.

The commissioners had an "awesome responsibility'' but had not yet measured up to it.

Sen. Joe Johnson (Ind) was concerned about rules governing the soliciting of funds during programmes. How would these apply to foreign "canned'' religious shows? How would it affect the annual muscular dystrophy telethon or people going on the David Lopes show appealing for help in their endeavours? Sen.

Philip recalled his role as part of a team that "helped to revolutionise'' local broadcasting about 30 years ago. His station did not seek "Canadians, Americans or English people of a certain complexion'' but looked for Bermudians of ability, whatever their colour.

By and large current broadcasters did a good job, but he was sick and tired of announcers pronouncing "government'' as if it had an "a'' in it, "back'' like "bark'', and "Hamilton'' like "Hamiltin''.

And when reporting indecent offence cases, stations went into too much "salacious'' detail.

"I would expect the ladies in the broadcasting community to set a higher standard,'' he said.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) wondered whether rules on soliciting funds would affect Bermuda's tradition of charity.

And Sen. Norma Astwood (Ind) called for greater attention to be given to violence on TV.

Sen. Winfield said a midway point must be maintained between over-regulation and allowing unsuitable material to be broadcast.

Stations themselves also had responsibility for what was put over the air, he said.

"This Act is trying to give sensible people some authority to protect the community.'' The commission had ruled against the UBP probably as much as they had ruled against the PLP.

Examples of fund-raising brought up by Sen. Johnson and Sen. Woolridge would be allowed after checking with the charity and broadcast commissions.