An Opposition MP and former chairwoman of the Broadcasting Commission accused Island broadcasters of political bias.

Louise Jackson's comments in the House of Assembly on Wednesday then descended into a row over freedom of speech, with the MP accusing Government of "intimidation" and trying to muzzle the Press.

Mrs. Jackson, Shadow Health Minister, told MPs during the Motion to Adjourn: "I'm concerned the equal time for political parties is not adhered to. But it is part of the regulations that broadcasting should be balanced."

She also claimed a 'seven second delay' was "not being adhered to on two stations".

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess however, claimed 'equal time' was only followed "during election time".

"After that they do whatever they want," he said.

But Mrs. Jackson replied: "This PLP Government has thrown all the rules out. I have not heard any of the regulations have changed.

"I am also concerned some broadcasters are using derogatory language and racial slurs, and the rest of it.

"I think we all are aware there are things that are happening in the broadcasting world that really need to be dealt with."

However Government backbencher Glenn Blakeney, who owns radio station HOTT 107.5, accused Mrs. Jackson of being "disingenuous".

He said: "The honourable member is impugning all broadcasters and is misleading the House."

Mrs. Jackson replied: "I said very clearly I was referring to broadcasting companies not doing this."

She then accused Government of intimidatory measures against freedom of speech.

"I am still very concerned about the fact people are afraid, they are intimidated, and they feel if they make statements, march, or are seen in certain places...," said Mrs. Jackson.

"In this country there are laws and we have a Constitution, and we don't really need to make this into a comedy.

"This is the kind of thing that most dictatorships start off with. You muzzle the Press and keep people from speaking."

Mr. Burgess interjected: "No one has been muzzled here. People march. If you talk about 1998 you might be right but this Government has not stopped anyone from exercising their Constitutional right. They have marched."

Mrs. Jackson replied: "Intimidation is the name of the game of this Government and I don't want to have to stand up and get personal about this, but this is a fact, we all know this. It doesn't have to be this way."

But Mr. Blakeney, Environment and Sports Minister, said: "I am hearing the errant nonsense. Of the suggestion people are feeling intimidated, it's almost laughable.

"There's no Minister on this side of the House intimidating anyone. It goes to the disingenuous political football they (the UBP) want to kick around, and also when people accuse this Government of playing the race card.

"Where did it all start? Where did racism all start? So you're going to victims and making them feel guilty of having a conservation, for bringing some semblance of discussion to the table.

"The UBP has lost their way. The statistics bear this out."

Mr. Blakeney referred to the independent Research.bm survey commissioned by the UBP, the results of which were published in this newspaper last week.

The poll results suggested older politicians should step aside in favour of younger UBP members, because they represented the legacy which plunged the Party to defeat at the last General Election.

"The polls suggest a number of those senior members should call it a day. But I haven't heard any of them coming to their own defence," said Mr. Blakeney.

"They (the Opposition) are not genuine, they have discord among their own members. But they want to stand up and be all holier than though."

He said: "We (Government) have our challenges just like any other jurisdiction, but they are throwing the whole country under the bus just to score points. It's disingenuous.

"That's why at the end of the day, it (the UBP) will be something else. It's the same thing that comes out in the polls of the daily paper, that you should be gone and give some significance to your younger members. Do the right thing."

Mr. Blakeney also accused the Opposition of "innuendo".

"They throw around words like corruption, hoping it will stick. It's not going to happen," he said.

"Stop insulting the intelligence of the Bermudian voters and you may gain some ground with regard to your political aspirations."