restrict freedom of speech, the chairman of the Broadcasting Commission said last night.

Mrs. Louise Jackson also dismissed an argument by Progressive Labour Party MP Mr. Julian Hall that the new regulations were a pre-election ploy to control talk shows and the airwaves.

"We have been working on these regulations for the last three years,'' she said yesterday.

"They've been ready for two years and held up, basically, because of the tobacco advertising ban. This is not anything that we just dreamed up. It has nothing to do with an election.

"They have nothing to do with freedom of speech. Once you get on the airwaves, you're free to say what you want, as long as you don't slander someone.

"Nobody's stopping anybody from saying anything with these regulations.'' The new regulations, which were tabled for consideration in the House of Assembly last Friday, would ban cigarette advertising from local TV and radio and restrict hard liquor commercials to late-night programmes.

The legislation, called the Broadcasting Commissioners Amendment Act, would also impose tighter controls on phone-ins to reduce the risk of abuse or slander.

The regulations would require callers to provide their names, addresses and telephone number before going on the air.

"That regulation is for the protection of stations,'' Mrs. Jackson said.

"They do it now anyway. I think all the stations ask a person's identity.

They just don't put anybody on the air.'' In addition, the new regulations would not allow a person's voice on the air unless it was delayed for a minimum of seven seconds.

"Some of these things are being done because we have had problems that have led to court actions,'' Mrs. Jackson said. "They're also basic requirements.

We're so far behind other countries such as the United States, Canada and the UK which have had these kind of controls for a long time.'' Mrs. Louise Jackson.