Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon yesterday blasted Premier Jennifer Smith for dismissing complaints about a Government TV programme ruled illegal by broadcasting watchdogs.

And Ms Gordon said: "It somewhat flies in the face of the Premier's comments in Saturday's Royal Gazette that the Opposition was just making a lot of noise and that the media has more time than she has.

"The fact is, she has been ill-advised and it would behoove not only the new Attorney General Lois Browne Evans, but also the Assistant Director of Government Information Services, Valerie Pethen, who worked on the programme -- according to the Attorney General -- to be aware of the rules.'' Ms Gordon hit out after the Broadcasting Commissioners banned a programme on the first 100 days of the PLP Government scheduled to run tonight and ruled that the opening programme, aired last Wednesday, broke the Political Broadcasting Directions.

The Commissioners said the first programme contravened the 15-minute rule for official Government broadcasts, while the second was in breach of a regulation allowing only one broadcast a month unless special permission was given.

They also ruled reference to "the PLP Government'' was in breach of the rules on political neutrality in Government broadcasts and also advised that reference to the Opposition "comes uncomfortably close'' to breaking the same rule as well.

Ms Gordon said: "It's very important that the Government is not seen to be having a carefree disregard and a lack of respect for the rules.

"These rules are not anything ambiguous -- it was an easy thing to find out the facts.'' The Broadcasting Commissioners' ruling criticised Government Information Services, which was involved in the making of the programme, and both ZBM and VSB for not playing their roles in ensuring compliance with the rules -- although the Commission report said the prime responsibility lay with Government itself.

Ms Gordon said: "Everyone has to recognise that when the Government becomes the Government and when they are making announcements to the people of the country, they no longer have the luxury of deeming themselves a political party.'' She added: "When the taxpayers are paying for the Government's broadcasts, they cannot be a political organisation because not everyone in the country voted for either side.

"Government must address the needs of the nation, not indulge in party political stuff.'' Ms Gordon said that the quality of advice given to the Premier also had to be questioned.

It is understood, however, that Mrs. Browne Evans was not Attorney General when plans for the broadcast were drawn up.

Ms Gordon added that the Opposition also had a duty to keep an eye on Government to make sure it toed the legal line.

She said: "Some people believe we should ease up on the new Government -- but we also have a job to do.

"If you slacken up to the point that it would be to the detriment of this country, they would be the first to complain about us not living up to our responsibility -- our constitutional responsibility.'' Ms Smith on Friday brushed off news of the complaint to the Broadcasting Commission over the two TV programmes.

And she insisted the broadcasts, as well as the 100 Days brochure, were legal "otherwise we wouldn't have done it''.

Ms Smith did not return calls from The Royal Gazette yesterday.

ZBM boss Ric Richardson did not return a call and Government Information Services chief Gavin Shorto declined to comment.

Only VSB boss Kenny DeFontes came out and admitted his company got it wrong.

He said: "These are the regulations and we have to reflect them. We had a slot and we did not realise the broadcast was over 15 minutes long. This is what's happened and the Opposition complained.'' TELEVISION TV