Assembly today.

Changes proposed by Government would: Require a time delay before callers' voices are broadcast on television and radio phone-in programmes; Require phone-in callers to identify themselves off air before their voices are broadcast; Ban cigarette advertising from local TV and radio; and Restrict radio alcohol advertising to late-night programmes. Seven items on the order paper are expected to be dealt with today, but consideration of The Television Broadcasting Service Amendment Regulations 1993, The Sound Broadcasting Service Regulations 1993, and The Broadcasting Commissioners Amendment Act 1993 are expected to take the most time.

The Opposition Progressive Labour Party has slammed the phone-in changes as a needless infringement on freedom of speech.

But Government has said the proposed changes -- drawn up by the Broadcasting Commission -- are intended to protect broadcasters and the public, not restrict them.

Mr. Malcolm Fletcher, general manager of the Bermuda Broadcasting Co. Ltd., said he had concerns about some of the proposed changes as initially tabled in the House of Assembly on June 11.

A time delay for phone-in talk shows is not a major concern, but the proposed regulations would be more far-reaching. For example, they would prohibit a restaurant manager from phoning and reciting menu items during a live programme, he said.

Also, the BBC has equipment to create a four-second delay, but not a seven-second delay as proposed, Mr. Fletcher told The Royal Gazette .

There were further talks recently between the BBC and the Broadcasting Commission, and Mr. Fletcher was not sure whether changes were made as a result. "They did consult with us about these proposed regulations,'' he said. "I was grateful for the opportunity to be able to give them our thoughts.'' Mr. Fletcher said he had no great difficulty with the proposed changes in advertising regulations.

Spokesmen for Pitt and Company Ltd. and Tobacco Associates Ltd. in Bermuda said they had no reaction to the ban on tobacco advertising, which was anticipated for some time.

"Distributors in Bermuda have never been involved in advertising,'' a spokesman at Tobacco Associates said. "The tobacco companies do it themselves.'' Also to be considered today are The Contributory Pensions (Amendment of Contributions and Benefits) Order 1993, The Companies Amendment Act 1993, The Public Holidays Amendment Act 1993, and The Computerisation and Revision of Laws Amendment Act 1993.

The Companies Act is amended almost every year to assure it is "absolutely up-to-date with what is happening around the world,'' Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said.

The 27 amendments to be debated today are mostly intended to make things easier for small businesses, he said.

Single-shareholder companies would be permitted, while three are required presently. And directors could be elected for longer than one year, "which a lot of small companies wish to do''.