A telecommunications watchdog has warned licensed broadcasters about the content of court coverage

According to a statement from the Broadcasting Commission, headed by lawyer Elizabeth Christopher, the reprimand came after details which were aired in court cases between September 1 and September 26 this year.

The release did not indicate which trials the Commission was referring to, but that a letter was sent to DeFontes Broadcasting Company, Ltd, Inter-Island Communications Ltd, and Bermuda Broadcasting Company warning them over the content of their broadcasts.

Both DeFontes and BBC said they had not received the letter and Inter-Island Communications did not comment before this paper went to press. In the letter the Commission said: "The Commissioners direct that no undertaking shall broadcast the pornographic details or otherwise of indecent, depraved and offensive acts, in such vivid details as to offend against the good taste or decency of the Bermudian Public."

The statement also clarified regulations that govern the showing of films on the Island. According to the Commission anyone wishing to show a film must notify the Broadcast Commission 14 days before airing it. According to the Commission the clarification comes after films that were not rated by a recognised board of film censors were shown and they had not been contacted regarding those airings.

A spokesman for the Commission added: "The Commission hereby serves notice to entities and individuals making such showings that they must adhere to the legislation under the Films (Control of Exhibition) Act 1959 (section 4) which makes it mandatory that the Broadcast Commission must be notified at least 14 days before any intended exhibition of films to the public giving its ratings, content advisory and content description of the films to be shown."