Joe Pirotta to chair PBS editorial board

University lecturer Joe Pirotta was yesterday appointed the new chairman of the Public Broadcasting Services' editorial board by Education and Culture Minister Dolores Cristina.

In the past Prof. Pirotta had served as the Broadcasting Authority's chairman for a number of years.

University Pro-rector Mary Anne Lauri and journalist Charles Mizzi have been appointed members of the board.

The PBS editorial board was in the public eye last year when its head, John Camilleri, resigned in protest following a long-standing rift between the board and the company's board of directors. Prof. Dominic Fenech was appointed acting chairman of the editorial board upon Mr Camilleri's resignation.

Last August Mr Camilleri said he resigned because he felt that the selection process for the following season's schedule for TVM was unjust and lacked transparency and credibility.

Meanwhile, Ms Cristina asked the members of the PBS board of directors to carry on in their posts until the end of term on June 4, after which new appointments will be made.