Opposing groups clash over divorce airtime

The Yes To Divorce movement yesterday criticised the Broadcasting Authority for reducing the number of debates to be organised in the run-up to the referendum.

To make up for fewer debates, the BA has allocated more television spots to the lobby groups on opposing sides of the campaign.

“This change in the BA’s scheme fits perfectly with the strategy of the anti-divorce campaign to opt for professional advertisements being prepared by well-known persons in the broadcasting field, instead of debating the issue with people who can expose the shortcomings in the stances being adopted,” the movement said, accusing the BA of succumbing to pressure by the anti-divorce side.

The Marriage Without Divorce movement pointed out that radio and TV stations were already holding frequent debates between both movements and these were likely to increase.

The movement said it believed the scheme proposed by the BA should not simply present “more of the same” but propose something original to engage viewers. It therefore proposed an increase in the number of minutes dedicated to information spots and the pro-divorce movement “agreed with our proposal”.

“The pro-divorce movement also agreed with our proposal that press conferences be introduced by a video clip.”

It said the present scheme decided upon by the BA was very similar to the one originally proposed.

“The only difference is that the 60 minutes allotted to just one of the debates will now be divided equally between the two movements who will now have 60 minutes each available for information spots and slots. There will be two debates and two press conferences.”

Meanwhile, the Yes movement said it had filed its first official complaint to the BA due to “blatant imbalance” shown on the Saturday evening news bulletin of TVM. The news item was about a debate organised by AŻAD.

“At the end of the item, an exponent from Żwieġ Bla Divorzju was interviewed and answered questions on camera, separately from the debate that took place, while representatives of the Moviment IVA were ignored.”

The movement called on the BA to take steps to redress the imbalance and ensure such “abuses” were not repeated.

But Public Broadcasting Services requested a public apology for these “deceitful” claims, saying it had actually carried comments from both lobbies and it was a lie to say otherwise.

“This is yet another attempt aimed at conditioning and tarnishing the national station. The fervour in issuing a statement without checking basic facts is unacceptable and the movement should apologise for misleading the public in such a way,” PBS editor Natalino Fenech said.