Editor has defended the paper against claims of "vindictive" reporting against blacks ? and offered to meet protestors who appear to be calling for a boycott of the newspaper.

Fliers have been put up in the Bulls Head car park and at the General Post Office apparently urging black people not to buy and .

The poster accuses the newspapers of consistently attempting to "destroy the lives of black people with vindictive and negative reporting".

The anonymous flier also lists examples of "negative reporting". It claims that most white crime goes unreported, hits out at negative reporting on education and criticises The Mid-Ocean News for its recent articles on Dr. Christopher Johnson.Editor Bill Zuill said he was very disappointed that an anonymous person, or group, had decided to call for a boycott of the and .

And he urged those behind the protest to get in touch with him as soon as possible to discuss their concerns.

He added: "It is worth noting that while the and are owned by the same company, they have completely separate editorial teams. It would be wrong for me to comment on stories contained in The Mid-Ocean News, as its editor is quite capable of defending himself."

Mr. Zuill, however, said he could comment on allegations which appear to have been made about .

He said: "The flier claims that 'most white crime goes unreported'.

"This is, quite simply, untrue. Trials involving white people are reported, very often on the front page. Recent examples include the case of a Canadian lawyer who was convicted of falsifying documents to secure Bermuda status and the sexual assault case concerning former Policeman John White."

He also answered criticism about "negative" reporting of the Island's public schools ? and said there was no "double standard" when it came to covering public and private schools.

"While we have an obligation to report the bad news about schools, whether they concern violence or low graduation rates, we make enormous efforts to cover the positive aspects of schools as well," said the editor.

"Just six weeks ago, we carried a lengthy 'Monday Interview' with Kalmar Richards, and just this Friday a reporter attempted to attend the CedarBridge graduation, but was denied entry. So we cannot be accused of lack of effort.

"In addition, every Thursday, we publish the Youth News supplement or our Young Observer section in order to reflect the successes and address the challenges facing Bermuda's youth."

Mr. Zuill added: "The flier also states that private school students misbehave and do drugs. All I can say is that when we hear about bad behaviour in private schools, we report it.

"There is no double standard when it comes to private and public schools."

Mr. Zuill continued: "I am the first person to acknowledge that there is a perception in parts of the black community in particular that is some sort of mouthpiece for the white establishment and that it has some kind of racist agenda.

"I do not agree with the perception, but accept that it exists. The staff of this newspaper has worked extremely hard over the years to reverse that perception and continues to do so.

"Again, I repeat my offer to meet with the organisers of this boycott anywhere and at any time to address and to try to resolve their concerns."