Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley yesterday praised CITV, but called for a greater role for the Opposition in the television station.

Sen. Dunkley said although he had publicly opposed the Government initiative in 2007, he was so impressed by the quality of programming that "maybe I got it wrong".

However, he added he wanted to see more involvement by the Opposition and more coverage of the UBP's responses to important Government announcements such as the Throne Speech and the Budget.

"Let's face it, we are all taxpayers," said Sen. Dunkley.

CITV was launched in September 2007 with the stated aim of providing programmes on Bermudian history and culture and other public education initiatives.

At the time, the UBP pledged to boycott the opening of the TV station, labelling it costly, unnecessary and liable to be used for political propaganda.

At the time, Sen. Dunkley told a press conference: "We do not believe Government television is needed in Bermuda. We see it as a huge waste of taxpayer dollars. And we believe it will be used for propaganda by the PLP Government."

Yesterday however, he told the Senate during a Budget debate: "I am on record two years ago as being opposed to CITV. I am happy to discuss it more and admit that maybe I got it wrong in one instance.

"There were two concerns, one, that it would be a burden on the taxpayer, and two, that it would be a means for Government to talk about their programmes.

"I am pleased to say that a lot of information on the channel such as the vignettes, I think it's first class. I think it shows a lot about Bermuda that we don't normally see. And I am pleased to see CITV appears to be controlling their costs to some degree.

"But I've heard some murmurs from staff up there about pay, and bringing in a non-Bermudian to work as a consultant, I would love to see a Bermudian doing this job.

"We need to lead by example in this regard."

Sen. Dunkley said: "Maybe in the short term we will bring in someone who will help with our expertise, but I want to see Bermudians there, and I would like to see more opportunity for the Opposition to be involved in CITV.

"There's been very few times for the Opposition to get involved there and let's face it, we are all taxpayers.

"It is a non-political station but they showed the Throne Speech and wouldn't show the Reply to the Throne Speech. The showed the Budget, but not the Reply to the Budget."

The actual expenditure for CITV in 2007/08 was $814,000. The original budget estimate for 2008/09 was $992,000 and this was revised to $791,000. The 2009/10 budget estimate is $935,000 $57,000 less than last year, marking a drop of six percent.

Government has announced it is bringing in an overseas consultant for a two-year contract after an advertisement failed to attract a suitable Bermudian candidate.