Premier Ewart Brown has ordered communications officers at the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Tourism and Transport to "reduce their contact" with The Royal Gazette and its sister newspaper, the Mid-Ocean News.

He issued the instruction in an e-mail seen by this newspaper in which he told his press secretary Glenn Jones: "Until further notice I want to leave them out of the loop."

Dr. Brown confirmed the edict on Tuesday evening when he told us in a statement: "I have instructed our media people in the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Tourism and Transport (MOTT) to reduce their contact with The Royal Gazette and Mid-Ocean News.

"I can't tell you the scores of regular citizens who have urged me to completely stop communicating with those two publications. I have always rebuffed that advice — and I still do — but I now feel it is long past time to try a different approach.

"This step has been taken in order to prevent a total breakdown of communication between the Premier's office and these publications.

"I believe The Royal Gazette, Mid-Ocean News and most Bermudians understand the need to reduce the rancour and lower the toxicity that have become the norm."

Dr. Brown's order applies primarily to Mr. Jones and the public affairs officer at the Department of Communication and Information (DCI) who deals with tourism and transport queries.

Both positions are funded by taxpayers and the post-holders are required to liaise with the media and provide information to the public.

The Premier's decision was yesterday denounced by the editors of both newspapers. Bill Zuill, editor of The Royal Gazette, said: "I am disappointed but sadly not surprised at this latest announcement, which is the latest attempt by the Premier to use the powers of Government to damage this newspaper and make it as difficult as possible for us to report the news fairly and accurately.

"Having already tried to hurt us financially by banning Government advertising, this is the obvious next step. Obviously it is a total contradiction and disingenuous to suggest that reducing communications between Government and this newspaper will improve relations."

He said the daily paper would continue to report the news fairly and accurately and continue to submit questions to Government on matters of public importance.

"When they are not answered, we will publish the questions so that the public will know we are simply trying to find out the truth on their behalf," said Mr. Zuill.

"It's a shame that Government sees fit not to communicate as effectively as it could on issues of national importance like tourism."

Tim Hodgson, editor of the weekly Mid-Ocean News, said: "This Premier and his inner circle seem to be serial collectors of resentments who define every issue, every problem and practically every personality they have to deal with in 'us' against 'them' terms.

"His decision to reduce his already limited contacts with the Mid-Ocean News to the point of non-existence is entirely of a piece with his decision to introduce personal loyalty oaths for Cabinet Ministers — yet another aggressive demand for uncritical acceptance and unquestioning obedience."

Mr. Hodgson said the decision merely formalised an unofficial policy he claimed had been in existence for years. "The Premier has long failed to understand we are journalists, not his personal public relations agents," he added.

"The Mid-Ocean News harbours no rancour for the Premier or any other politician in Bermuda. We do, however, harbour a commitment to ensuring those who hold public office remain accountable to the public they serve. And sometimes this entails that we ask inconvenient or unpopular questions. We shall continue to ask them."

Dr. Brown and Mr. Jones discussed the decision last month, according to e-mails provided to this newspaper. The press secretary sent the Premier a draft press release to check on April 25 and Dr. Brown replied: "Fine... remember do not send to RG or MON."

Mr. Jones wrote back to ask: "Are you having DCI reps remove RG and MON as well?" Dr. Brown said in his response, copied to others: "Yes, of course... if it pertains to Cabinet Office or MOTT."

Mr. Jones then questioned whether the ban applied to press conferences and other events. His boss told him: "Until further notice I want to leave them out of the loop. If they find out and cover... fine."

The gag comes after Government axed its advertising and subscription deals with The Royal Gazette in March 2008, prompting criticism from international media organisations.

That ban came in the wake of this newspaper launching it's A Right To Know: Giving People Power campaign for freedom of information legislation and more government transparency.

An independent survey last summer found that the print and online versions of this newspaper reached almost 90 percent of the Island's adult population.