Excessive payment for TV programme

An inquiry would seem long overdue into to how Public Broadcasting Services finances are distributed.

It is a scandal that almost €1,700 per week of taxpayers' money goes towards a 10-minute daily television programme consisting of a straightforward encounter with one individual about one current topic.

I am referring to the programme Reporter, presented by Mediatoday co-owner and Malta Today editor Saviour Balzan, which goes on air on TVM from Monday to Friday at 7.40 p.m.

The Sunday Times reported (June 28) that this programme received €88,000 in one year from public funds, namely from the government's Public Service Obligation (PSO) fund. The programme presented by Mr Balzan was handed 68 per cent of PBS's €130,000 PSO allocation for current affairs and discussion programmes. Mr Balzan is also benefiting from a share of €175,000 in funds granted by the EU for the EU Life and Information project on Bird Migration and Trapping. Strangely enough, Mr Balzan, who helped negotiate with the EU an agreement for a transitional bird-trapping period ending in December 2008, is now profiting from EU funds for a campaign against trapping.

Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta's permanent representative to the EU, recently filed a libel suit against Mr Balzan for an article he wrote in Malta Today on May 24. Mr Cachia Caruana contends that the article was libellous and contained false allegations, which damaged his reputation and exposed him to public humiliation.

Mr Balzan seems to have made it his mission to attack certain people, and they are many. Unfortunately for those who share a different opinion, not only did Mr Balzan carry on with his attacks, but he has become rather more belligerently insolent. What cultural or educational edification readers and viewers derive from his blinkered contributions is probably highly questionable.

Some commentators may regard his TV programme as a waste of taxpayers' money. With 68 per cent of the PSO fund going down the drain, there is hardly any money left for those NGOs that actually work hard in the interest of Maltese culture and traditions. The authorities are dutybound to look seriously into the matter to ensure that PBS funds are made use of correctly for the real benefit of the public.