Jobs are today being advertised for a new Government-run TV station as the recruitment process begins in earnest.

Four positions are being advertised in print media, on the radio, and on the official Government website for the station which is set to launch in June.

“We would like anyone who has an interest in television to get in touch with us,” said Beverle Lottimore who as Director of Communication and Information will be responsible for getting the station off the ground.

“It’s an exciting time, we’re asking everyone to listen to the promos, dust off their resumes, and apply. If you think you fit the bill please apply.”

The first positions include a general manager responsible for the station’s management, programming and administration, a traffic coordinator to care for broadcast schedules, and two videographers.

The jobs have a wide range of starting salaries — from $53,000 per year to $99,000 a year.

The station, which will be run from the campus of the Berkeley Institute in Pembroke, has already hired an engineer.

A Government-run television station was the brainchild of former Premier Alex Scott who introduced the idea in November of 2005 during the Throne Speech.

Almost from the very moment the idea was launched the project faced strong criticism from members of the Opposition Party, including Deputy Leader Michael Dunkley.

“My feelings haven’t changed in any way,” said Mr. Dunkley when contacted yesterday.

He said the Government’s claims of an unfair media bias are bogus.

“We have great press coverage,” he declared.

“They (Government leaders) will be putting their bias on everything that comes across.

“We’re concerned they would spend that kind of money on this kind of project. There’s no justification for it.”

Ms Lottimore says the station’s purpose is to “demystify Government” for the people of Bermuda.

In the House of Assembly former Premier Scott described the project this way: “The Government feels it prudent and necessary to speak on a regular basis directly to the people of this country, in an unmediated and unedited fashion.’’

Ms Lottimore would not elaborate on the number of staff needed to run the station, but said they will start out with “a skeleton crew of professionals”.

And when asked if the television jobs will be marketed overseas she said, “No, not at the moment.

It would be unfortunate if we could not find qualified Bermudians.

“This is the first opportunity for Bermudians who have studied abroad in the broadcasting industry to realise the culmination of their work.’’

In last year’s budget the television project was allotted $840,000.

Ms Lottimore would not say how much it would cost in the next fiscal year, but said that information would become public during the legislative budget process which begins next month.

Government TV jobs to be advertised