PBS news

Reference is made to the letter by Eddy Privitera about a news item broadcast on PBS news (The Sunday Times, April 27). The news item revealed the efforts that were made to convince Joseph Muscat to back George Abela in the MLP leadership contest.

Mr Privitera says this was just a rumour. PBS had solid information that Dr Muscat was approached by more than one person about it and that several people close to and within the MLP were fermenting the idea that it would be best to convince Dr Muscat to back Dr Abela. It seems that for some, where it suits them, discussion only constitutes rumour.

Dr Muscat did not deny that he was spoken to or that the idea was being mooted, as Mr Privitera and some sections of the media, are saying. All Dr Muscat said to us and in subsequent statements, was that he confirmed he was contesting the post of leader. But unlike other contenders, he did not say he was interested only in the post of leader.

If Mr Privitera, like some other journalists, expects PBS news to act only as a notice board, and leave such stories to other sections of the media, he is bound to be disappointed.

I do not know what to make of Mr Privitera's final remark, that Xandir Malta under Toni Pellegrini's management was child's play compared with what is happening today at PBS. He must indeed be suffering from a strong bout of amnesia.

All I can assure Mr Privitera is that as long as I am editor, no one's name will be banned from being broadcast in news bulletins and if a story deserves to be followed, we will do our best to follow it in the most honest way possible.