control what goes out on the air.

The talks follow yesterday's surprise decision to put on hold radio broadcast regulations.

And they come amid growing concern over the move to force stations to delay broadcasts by seven seconds.

This will give radio bosses time to wipe out bad language before it is aired.

But broadcasters fear the proposal will hit live shows, and require expensive new equipment.

ZBM disc jockey Mr. David Lopes said his 7.15 a.m. weekday chat show could be threatened.

And The Royal Gazette understands the idea was floated of switching Shirley Dill's popular Sunday phone-in radio show to television.

The decision to delay the Sound Broadcasting Service Regulations was announced at the Senate yesterday.

Senators were due to discuss the regulations, which were introduced into the House of Assembly this month.

But Telecommunications Minister and Government Senate leader the Hon. Michael Winfield said problems had emerged.

"I need to check some technical matters that have arisen,'' he added.

Sen. Winfield later told The Royal Gazette the regulations were very technical, and had been "over simplified'' in a lot of the public debate.

He declined, however, to disclose what regulations were particularly causing concern.

"I have received some questions and some technical questions that I want to get some answers to so I will be fully briefed and prepared.'' He added he wanted to find out "what was reality, and what not reality''.

Sen. Winfield said he would be meeting with the Broadcasting Commission, and VSB and ZBM chiefs.

It is understood a meeting will take place this afternoon.

Mr. Lopes thought the impact of the seven-minute rule had not been fully thought through.

Could, for instance, a radio interview of the winner of the Front Street mile be broadcast? "There are a lot of implications about the regulations,'' said Mr. Lopes.

Mr. Lopes added he did not believe the regulations applied to station employees.

ZBM's operations manager Mr. Delano Ingham foresaw equipment problems in abiding by the seven-second rule.

Currently the station only had equipment for four second delays.

"New equipment will have to be acquired,'' said Mr. Ingham.

Mr. Ingham did not believe stations should be subject to such legislation, which would also require talk show callers to give their name, address, and telephone numbers before going on the air.

Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said the regulations were aimed at anonymous callers to stations.

They were not designed for most chat show guests, such as politicians, who were known to the community.

Nevertheless, equipment had to be in place to stop profanities or obscenities.

Dr. Saul said station employees were not covered by the regulations.

Once passed, the regulations must be signed by the Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission.

Dr. Saul said he was "absolutely certain'' there would be no signature until radio stations had the equipment to handle seven second delays.

"I think they will be given a reasonable time to have the equipment.'' Dr. Saul said ZBM faced little difficulty because it already had the equipment.

He added he did not believe the regulations would apply to debate in the House of Assembly.

MPs had absolute privilege covering what they say in the House. Senate debate is on Page 6 .