Government has axed its newspaper subscriptions to The Royal Gazette in what it describes as a "cost savings measure".

However, the move has led some to question whether it is the beginning of a drive to muzzle the freedom of the press by draining this newspaper's finances.

Last night, a press release stated Government spent almost $800,000 on subscriptions and advertising in the print media during the last fiscal year, of which $42,000 went on newspaper subscriptions.

The release also said it would be reducing public spending by cutting back on Government travel and its vehicle fleet, but did not say how much it expected to save in those areas.

Royal Gazette editor Bill Zuill questioned how much of a dent $42,000 would make in a $1 billion Budget and said this newspaper's circulation department would be happy to speak to Government about a more affordable arrangement.

Government has ratcheted up its hostility to the media in recent months, with Works Minister Derrick Burgess going so far as to say they would urge young people to rise up and force Royal Gazette sports editor Adrian Robson out of the country because of comments in an opinion piece about cricket.

Last week, veteran VSB journalist Bryan Darby spoke out about a Government attempt to "divide and conquer" the media by attacking The Royal Gazette in press conferences, while this newspaper's reporters are frequently belittled by politicians at public events.

At least one Government department has banned using the daily paper for advertising, and Government has also pulled out of sponsoring rg magazine's annual Heritage Month issue at the last minute.

This newspaper sells around 14,500 papers every day including more than 750 bulk sales.

Last night's press release stated: "The Bermuda Government will reduce the scope of its print advertising and systematically move toward electronic media outlets for the purposes of delivering messages to the public.

"The Cabinet determined it was not cost effective or penetrative enough to rely heavily on print advertising in an electronically advanced community.

"However, the Government will continue to utilise the Official Gazette under its current contract which expires on December 31, 2008. Additionally, the Cabinet resolved to end its daily newspaper subscription as a further cost savings measure.

"In the last fiscal year, the Government spent almost $800,000 on subscriptions and advertising in the print media — about $42,000 of that amount was spent on newspaper subscriptions."

Reacting last night, Mr. Zuill said: "It is impossible to argue with Government plans to reduce costs, especially on travel and the size of the Government car fleet, although it seems a little odd to be embarking on a round of cost-cutting as the Budget debate comes to an end, rather than incorporating the reductions in the Budget itself.

"With regard to print advertising cuts, it is important to know what methodology Government has used to reach its decision to move to electronic media, and whether that includes broadcast media. We believe that The Royal Gazette is far and away the most effective way to reach the largest number of people in Bermuda on a daily basis.

"It is important that Government be completely open and transparent on this point because there will be many who will see this as nothing but a rather unsubtle and ham-fisted attempt to financially squeeze this newspaper in order to intimidate us from reporting criticisms of Government when the occasion arises.

"That suspicion will have added credence as a result of recent comments by Home Affairs Minister David Burch concerning his earlier decision to stop advertising in this newspaper, to cancel his Ministry's subscriptions to The Royal Gazette and his plans to encourage his colleagues to do the same, and the recent decision by the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation to renege on a signed agreement to support rg Magazine's Heritage Month issue.

"Sen. Burch was quite clear that he saw no reason to give money to a newspaper that he clearly despises, but today's press statement tries to put a different spin on this. Therefore, to allay any suspicion that this is an assault on press freedom, it would be good if Government could make public how it determined that its new approach would be more cost effective.

"I am very disappointed that the Government has stopped its newspaper subscriptions, although I have a sneaking suspicion that some members of Government will avail themselves of our website in order to remain informed.

"Finally, while all cost savings are welcome, $42,000 does not make much of a dent in a $1 billion budget, and I am sure our circulation department would be happy to talk about a more affordable arrangement if Government is really that strapped for cash."

One civil service source said colleagues were suspicious about the rationale behind the move.

"I think people are questioning about the freedom of the press, the freedom of expression," said the source.

"The view is that politicians are doing this in a reactionary way because politicians think they are being hard done by.

"Politicians all over the world are always complaining about not getting their dues from the Press. This is meant personally so there is questioning about the validity of it."

A terse fax sent on Thursday announcing the rg magazine cancellation reneged on an agreement signed just two weeks earlier. It gave no reason for the U-turn on the magazine, which is already in production, and is in stark contrast to previous attitudes from Government which had seen Cultural Affairs Minister Dale Butler hand out fishcakes in appreciation to journalists who had worked on it.

The letter from Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Wayne Carey requested all work on the project be ceased immediately.

However rgmagazine editor Rebecca Zuill said the edition will go ahead as usual as it was valued so highly by the community and the staff who have worked on it.

She said: "The Heritage issue has to be one of the most rewarding publications that we do each year. This year will be the sixth one that we have produced, as we began our partnership with Cultural Affairs in 2003.

"It has been one of the great joys of this annual project that we have worked with the staff at Cultural Affairs in coming up with the stories that eventually are written and published, and between us we have delved deeply into the history and culture of our country.

"The fact that Cultural Affairs has sponsored this issue has meant a partnership that we have valued tremendously.

"I have valued it personally and as the managing editor of rg magazine because I think it has said a lot about what it is that we do here at the magazine: we endeavour to really reach into the community and touch as many Bermudians as we possibly can in all our breadth and diversity.

"Heritage really helps us to accomplish that in a way that we cannot do in any of our other publications."

Ms Zuill said the Heritage issue was an attempt to provide accessible information about all Bermudians' history to make them all proud of their forefathers' achievements and contribution.

"I sincerely do hope that in the future our relationship with the Department will return to the very good state that it was in until just very recently."

Last night's press release did not say how much cash it hoped to save by reducing costs of Ministers' travel and the Government fleet.

Regarding travel, it stated: "Government Ministers will exercise greater oversight and care concerning how taxpayer money is spent on travel.

"This measure will ensure the taxpayer is truly benefiting when civil servants or other Government officials travel overseas for business purposes. This practice is also determined to eradicate any unnecessary travel."

On the fleet, it said: "The Cabinet believes it can effectively decrease the number of vehicles in the Government fleet to reduce the financial burden on the taxpayer. The Minister of W&E is responsible for the Government fleet and has begun a review to determine where cost savings can be realised.

"These cited areas do not represent the full extent of the cost saving measures being discussed at the Cabinet level. Cabinet Ministers are determined to trim the fat in other areas where and when it is deemed appropriate."