suppressing things because of their political content. Censorship is not the way of a mature country.

The news that Bermuda Broadcasting's Power 95 radio channel has pulled the plug on a musical release by Ras Mykkal seems very suspect to us. His "Rudeboy inna de House'' reportedly deals with political actions by Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness who has spent a great deal of his life heavily involved with broadcasting at ZBM. That would certainly lead a great many people to wonder if this is a political act of censorship to protect a political figure who is involved with ZBM.

In fact the "poetry set to reggae music'' seems to have been saying exactly what this newspaper has said over and over again. That is that verbal attacks by politicians on the Police which are heard and read by young people then translate into physical attacks. The Royal Gazette has maintained that point of view, especially in relation to Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Alex Scott, for a number of years. It is in our view a valid and justified stand to take. And it is our impression that perhaps because an election is approaching, in recent months Mr. Scott has softened his stand. If Mr. Mykkal thinks that Mr. Edness has also been damaging the Police, then he is certainly entitled to that view, especially in the wake of the Coxall Affair. It is fair also to point out that Mr. Mykkal did not use the minister's name.

Perhaps this is a case of someone at ZBM making a bad choice without top management having the opportunity to give due consideration to the implications. We hope this is not a considered decision based on the wrong reasons. It may be just some kind of minor hiccough. However when you give consideration to some of the offensive, lewd and violent lyrics ZBM does broadcast, it is difficult to find any reason for censorship in this case -- except a political one.

When thinking of any censorship, ZBM would have to remember the number of people on its talk shows who make remarks which are very close to libel without any correction or even with any disagreement on the part of the host or hostess of the show.

Why would a company allow that on radio and on talk shows and then pull a song? For centuries, songs have been the voice of the people, the means for people to get their views heard. There is a long history of protest songs.

Where once they were sung in the streets, today they are sung on TV and radio.

Mr. Mykkal has been quoted as saying that parliamentarians have to refocus on issues of public interest and cease bickering between themselves. "They have lost focus on the effect they might be having on the public. Fighting on the street and on Parliament Hill has no purpose.'' We agree with Mr. Mykkal.