Their job descriptions clearly require them to communicate and inform — but two officers on the public payroll may be finding it tough to properly carry out their duties after a command from Premier Ewart Brown.

The Tourism and Transport Minister has ordered his own press secretary and a public affairs officer at the Department of Communication and Information (DCI) to do quite the reverse of what taxpayers might expect of them.

The Premier said yesterday he had told them to "reduce their contact" with two of Bermuda's three newspapers: The Royal Gazette and Mid-Ocean News.

His admission came on Tuesday night after this newspaper asked him whether he had banned press secretary Glenn Jones and the DCI officer who handles tourism and transport matters from speaking to us.

Our question came after days of our phone calls and e-mails asking for comment and information on various topics being ignored.

The position held by Mr. Jones, which attracts a salary of almost $108,000-a-year, was created by the Premier soon after he came to power.

It was initially held by former PLP press officer Scott Simmons, who said of the role in November 2006: "I believe it is in keeping with the new Premier, who is absolutely committed to transparency and involving people in his Government and making sure that they, on a minute-to-minute basis, are aware of what their Government is doing and how it benefits them and how they can be involved."

Information provided by the Cabinet Office yesterday reveals that the press secretary, who is a political appointee rather than a civil servant, "works under the policy direction of and is accountable to the Premier for the development, implementation and coordination of the Premier's communications strategy including public/media relations, policies and strategies".

DCI's public affairs officers, meanwhile, pick up a salary ranging from $78,000 to $84,000-a-year. They are, according to the Cabinet Office, directly responsible for the public affairs requirements of at least two assigned government ministries and are required to "inform the general public and targeted groups of government programmes, policies and activities via the news media and other communication channels".

They must also champion the government's reputation and brand through proactive media and public relations.

DCI director Beverle Lottimore would not comment yesterday on the Premier's instructions.