The United Bermuda Party has called in the Broadcast Commission over allegations Government is using taxpayers' money to promote the Progressive Labour Party on the radio.

The Opposition takes issue over Government's adverts which end with a tag line: "Fulfilling the destiny. Ten strong years" — arguing this is a "blatant endorsement of the PLP's ten years in power".

It says the PLP should pay for the messages itself.

Premier Ewart Brown's Press Secretary Glenn Jones last night said he found it difficult to understand how people can think the campaign is political advocacy.

Yesterday morning's UBP statement says: "If the Progressive Labour Party believes its years in power have been strong, then the party should pay for that message not taxpayers.

"Specifically, we believe the tag line should be removed because it transforms what are otherwise informational messages about government programmes into political broadcasts, which are defined under the Political Broadcast Directions as a broadcast that 'promotes the view or interests of a political party'.

"Government advertising should be strictly informational in nature. The tag line, however, amounts to political advocacy.

"We have taken our concerns to the Broadcast Commission because it is critically important that the PLP Government plays by rules established for everyone.

"It is important for the health of Bermuda's democracy that its government set a standard of good behaviour for all to follow.

"The question of good leadership in Bermuda is on the minds of many people — whether it be leadership on economic matters or on setting the best example for young people to follow. Bermuda does not benefit if its government — any government — plays fast and loose with the rules, as is the case with the radio commercials which are the subject of our complaint.

"We cannot have one set of rules for the people and another set for the Government."

Mr. Jones responded: "The Government's new radio ad campaign makes no mention of any political party, features no politicians and is being run at a time when there is no pending election, so I'm hard-pressed to understand how it can be called 'political advocacy' by anyone.

"Bermuda Broadcasting, DeFontes and Inter-Island Communications listeners will know that the ads are informative in nature, educating listeners on programmes that help everyday working Bermudians like geared-to-income housing, free tuition at Bermuda College and free public transport for school children.

"The Premier's College Tour, careers.gov.bm and the Mirrors programme are also part of the campaign. Each ad instructs the listener what to do if he or she would like more information about these Government programmes.

"Clearly the ads are a public service, not 'political advocacy'. 'Political advocacy' is better described by a strategic Sunday night press release that makes a mountain out of a molehill just in time for Monday morning.

"In fact, I wonder if perhaps the Opposition is less concerned about six words and are more focused on stifling a message it would prefer not get out.

"It's not too often one gets to read about these tremendously beneficial programmes; I expect the Opposition would prefer Bermudians not hear about them either.

"The Government awaits the ruling of the Broadcast Commission."

PLP chairman David Burt deferred comment to Mr. Jones.

For more information about the programmes mentioned by Mr. Jones, visit www.royalgazette.com and trawl through numerous stories on The Royal Gazette's archives.