Editorial

The Malta Broadcasting Authority (MBA) has made a call to fill the post of CEO after the resignation of Kevin Aquilina who has served in that capacity for the last decade with great dedication. The board of the broadcasting watchdog itself is up for renewal within a few weeks' time. At the same time the Select Committee of the House of Representatives is discussing, among other things, broadcasting. It would seem that this is the perfect time to discuss the MBA with a view of reforming it and, through this reform, instill a breath of fresh air not only in the regulatory structures but in the broadcasting scenario.

In the circumstances it would not be amiss to stop and consider whether the appointments - both of the CEO and the board members - should not be made before an agreement is reached, at least in principle, about the new place and role the MBA should have in broadcasting and beyond.

There are a number of reforms that can be studied, though these need not be introduced simultaneously.

The constitutional obligations placed upon the broadcasting regulator tended to limit the vista of the members of the board. The MBA is structured in such a way that its main focus is balance and impartiality in matters of political controversy and current public policy as well as the apportionment of facilities and time between the parties. The rights of audiences and civil society, which is now massively present in this country, are not directly referred to. The most important task the MBA should be given should, therefore, be the furthering of the interests of citizens and audiences. The rest should then follow like a cart following a horse. This paradigmatic change entails changes in the Constitution.

If the political parties agree in principle with such a change then they can take their time to hammer out a deal, provided a deal does come about. In the meantime, the method of choosing the MBA board could be immediately changed while bearing in mind the larger reform. The Prime Minister has already expressed his opinion on this subject, an opinion that does seem to be a sensible one. He said that the role of political parties should decrease while there should be more broadcasting experts and representatives of civil society on the MBA. This reform does not need a change in the Constitution but agreement between the two main parties on the mode of selection is de rigueur. Judging by statements he has already made, the new Leader of the Opposition is likely to agree.

The Select Committee can look at the way the MBA of the 1960s was made up, not to copy it but to have a model of a differently-composed board. Methodologies used overseas could also provide useful ideas. The present composition of the board reflects neither the way society is made up nor the interests of the audiences.

Another possible reform to mull is whether it is time to amalgamate the MBA and the Malta Communications Authority. This would mean that the sector would be regulated by one body. Such synergies could be beneficial for the industry and for its audiences. It does make sense if technological convergence is reflected in regulatory convergence.

Such reforms should, of course, follow extensive discussions in the country. But they can only happen if the political parties represented in Parliament would agree to place the national interest before the partisan interest. Are they mature enough to do such a thing?