MLP objects to TV programme

The Labour Party has asked the Broadcasting Authority to intervene in order to ensure that Public Broadcasting Services is not used as a "propaganda tool" in favour of the Nationalist Party.

The MLP said in a letter to the BA that PBS was today (Tuesday) broadcasting an episode of Bondí+ dealing with the book Liberta` mhedda, describing it as "extremely partisan".

The book was written by Dione Borg and deals with cases of politically-motivated violence dating back to the 1980s.

In its appeal to the BA, the MLP said PBS had never taken the initiative to put on a programme on the investigative books issued by the Sensiela Kotba Socjalisti about the "scandals" under the Nationalist governments of Eddie Fenech Adami.

Producer Lou Bondí said in a statement it was absurd for the MLP to boycott the programme and then complain to the BA that the programme was biased. He said the MLP had been invited to take part in the programme but had so far not confirmed participation.

Mr Bondí pointed out that the MLP had never provided justification for its boycott of the programmes put up by Where`s Everybody, which includes Bondi+, and had never protested to the BA about any episode in the series.

He also noted that the book was based on court testimony and dealt with well known cases that formed part of Maltese history.

He said he had been the only journalist to interview Zeppi l-Hafi, who appeared on the cover of two of the three books published by SKS, and had also interviewed the prime minister about the political consequences of the pardon given to Zeppi. He said there were legal proceedings against some of the books but added he would have no problem discussing the themes raised in them which were of journalistic interest - so long as the MLP accepted to take part in the discussion.