MLP protests about news bulletins

The Labour Party has protested to PBS chief executive Andrew Psaila about its news bulletin on Sunday and to Broadcasting Authority chairman Chief Justice (Emeritus) Joe Said Pullicino about Net TV and Radio 101's news bulletins in connection with opposition leader Alfred Sant's speech in Lija on Sunday.

The MLP has asked the BA to take action against Net TV and Radio 101 for having broadcast "false" news on a speech by Dr Sant, saying it was based on something he had never said.

The news item said Dr Sant was against the financial assistance the government was offering fishermen, farmers and herdsmen.

The statements were not based on what Dr Sant had said, the MLP argued, adding that they were aimed at shedding a bad light on the Labour leader.

In a letter to Mr Psaila, the MLP protested against the way it said PBS carried its news on Dr Sant's speech and omitted to give the facts so that his message would be understood.

The subjects touched by Dr Sant were the agreement with the European Union on fishing and PBS's refusal to broadcast MLP spots.

The MLP felt that PBS's attitude was unacceptable because it continued to place the party at a disadvantage.

It was requesting not only an explanation but an effective remedy for the abuse by the station that was "supposedly" national.