Government is to cultivate Bermudian journalists through internship programmes in CITV and its press office.

It has also pledged to fund internships with "overseas news and broadcasting agencies".

Yesterday, it was not disclosed who these agencies were or the costs of the programme.

The scheme was announced in the Throne Speech, which stated: "Too often the image of Bermuda is cultivated by those who know us least.

Communicative media skill must be strengthened in Bermuda and accordingly, the Government will offer mentoring and internship programmes within the Department of Communication and Information (DCI) in the areas of CITV, public affairs and graphic design.

"We must grow trained, exposed Bermudian journalists and the Government intends to cultivate the latent interest in these careers through its own relationships with overseas news and broadcasting agencies."

The Royal Gazette asked Government for more information on the programme, the number of interns and costs.

We also asked the reasons for it, in light of the current journalism course underway at Bermuda College and Government's recent announcement it would curtail spending due to the global economic recession.

We received no response at the time of going to press.

The Royal Gazette has 29 journalists, of which more than half – 16 – are Bermudian.

The journalism course at Bermuda College started in September at the Centre for Professional and Career Education (PACE).

It is accredited through the National Council for the Training of Journalists – the body recognised throughout the UK as the leader in training reporters.

The part-time course takes ten months to complete and includes shorthand, media law, how to write a newspaper story, online journalism, video production, and public affairs (Government).

Yesterday Premier Ewart Brown indicated the ban on Government advertising in The Royal Gazette was unlikely to be ended.

The Throne Speech promised Government will introduce a comprehensive Water Conservation Campaign to heighten public awareness involving advertising via the print and electronic media.

But asked if that advertising would include The Royal Gazette he said: "Not unless the Government's policy changes."

Asked if it would change soon he said: "I doubt it."