Updated: Claudette Pace to seek legal advice on termination of broadcasting career
Television present and Nationalist Party candidate Claudette Pace will be seeking legal advice on the protection of her right to continue to earn a living irrespective of her political activities, she said this evening.
Ms Pace was reacting to a statement issued earlier today by Public Broadcasting Services, saying it had written to Ms Pace’s production house, asking for an alternative presenter for Ms Pace's programme Sellili as from October 1.
PBS said it was doing this following the announcement that Ms Pace would be contesting the next elections as a PN candidate.
In her statement, Ms Pace expressed her disappointment at the way her 17-year career as a broadcasting professional had been prejudiced but said she fully understood the constraints under which PBS had to operate, that were imposed by the Broadcasting Authority in the context of short-sighted and restrictive interpretations of broadcasting balance.
These had been brought into play because of the way Labour chose to conduct itself in this area.
In view of this, Ms Pace said, she will be seeking legal advice as to the protection of her right to continue to earn a living irrespective of her political activities, especially with regard to the possibility of discrimination towards her, as many individuals had in the past been allowed to participate in programmes without the sort of limitations that were being imposed on her.
She said she was fiercely proud of her acceptance as a Nationalist candidate and that she would do her utmost to see the party elected to government once again to continue its excellent service to the country and the people.
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153 Comments
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Joseph Calleja
Sep 20th 2012, 09:55
Oh dear me Claudette! You chose to act in the wrong time and at the wrong door. Has it never occured to you that the PN is its way to parliamentary oblivion? Hares kif qed iharsu l-laghba lejn l-elezzjoni u tkun izjed qrib il-verita.
Brian Farrugia
Sep 20th 2012, 08:07
No use crying over spilt milk,
you should have thought it out.
Brian Farrugia
Sep 20th 2012, 07:46
I ask for legal advice on many things, so what!
Why should she be given an unjust privilege and use a public entity to further her political career,
she should be woman enough to realise that this would result in a clear and unjust advantage, and would make her look very very bad.
Does she need a lecture in common sense and human decency?
Come on and grow up!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Sep 19th 2012, 19:46
@ Andrew Camilleri, today at 12:33.
I would give you the same reply whichever party a prospective candidate belongs to. A broadcaster who is not a political analyst or a news commentator etc should not be discriminated against by the PBS for what he might do and prevented from earning his living in his normal way. The PBS has the power and duty to ensure balance in broadcasting but it should not do this by castigating prospective candidates because they are popular in their normal occupation and because as one commenter put it, they should not dirty their hands in politics ( "jithammgu bil-politika").
V Caruana
Sep 19th 2012, 18:37
Of course if CP is going to contest the PBS decision, settlement could be reached out of court. Pay CP a hefty sum of money and that's it!
charles caruana
Sep 19th 2012, 16:04
Those here who think that political influence in the mass media, especially television, is limited to the explicit content of programmes are either media naive, or politically naive or both. In all media saturated democracies, sheer exposure has its political fallouts even in transmissions which are nominally apolitcial. Visibility is key here.
Ask the politicians why they elbow each other and pester presenters to be invited to any kind of programme, including non political ones, come election time. Ask why the left in Italy complains not just about the political slant of Berlusconi's stations but the omnipresence of selected and friendly personages from all walks of life in them. Ask why American politicians harness the endorsements of famous Hollywood stars and media personalities for the success of their electoral campaigns. In the political arena, to be seen is to exist. This why in a publicly funded, state run television station the participation or even the frequency of appearances of politicians or prospective candidates has to be regulated to ensure as much as possible a level playing field. Imagine all prospective claiming the same daily exposure time on TVM? Aside from the soul deadening boredom of this nightmarish scenario, in the anomalous situation of a country where the only two major parties have tv stations of their own, who wants the national station to be overrun by politicians more than is absolutely necessary?
Claudette Pace will waste time and money by seeking legal redress in her case. She has made her choice, and is obliged to play the political game by the same rules that bind the other candidates. Those who are comparing her media profession to those of other candidates who are not involved in any way in the state sponsored mass media are indulging in false analogies or political bias. She has another full time job, she will not starve, and she has her political station in NET TV, where she can exercise her professional talents and earn extra monetary and political kudos without breaking any rules. This applies to all candidates across the board, whether nationalist or labour.
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Sep 19th 2012, 14:51
Consider that our electoral system returns five MPs. Generally the most heated canvassing is to wean away votes from a "colleague" rather than trying to get votes from the other side. In matters of television appearances the most strident protests come from within one's own party.
Some are astute enough to keep their cards very very close to their chest. Then they announce their candidature when the election is called !
In Israel a law has been passed prohibiting tv journalists from standing for elections unless they resigned their journalistic post at least one year prior to the election.
Eddy Privitera
Sep 19th 2012, 17:04
I agree. Probably Claudette Pace kept its secret to the very last moment so as to get the most exposure possible before announcing her candidature !
Brian Farrugia
Sep 20th 2012, 08:03
That`s how it should be.
Common sense should prevail.
John Scerri
Sep 19th 2012, 12:02
Whoever genuinely opts to become a public figure must be prepared to put up with all the criticism whether positive or negative.
On the other hand I do not approve that prospective election candidates keep their posts as presenters within a state owned media whether TV or Radio
Thanks to the PN government of the 90s all political parties have their radio and TV stations therefore such candidates can shift their work to their favoured party media.
On a final note the PN should have clearly showed Ms Pace which options to choose before asking for her candidature and then accepting it.
Lack of communication. Now she is on her own to decide.
A. Xuereb
Sep 19th 2012, 16:18
If she did not check out beforehand what the repercussions would be then she is very naive indeed! Legal advice should have been sought before not now. This is all an exercise in marketing, a way to announce her candidature with a bang and gain some sympathy votes...ghax issa miskina giet bla xoghol!
Charles J. Buttigieg
Sep 19th 2012, 11:54
The National broadcaster has to be politically neutral unlike PBS which has always been and still is vividly biased, however, even in that state the Station masters realize that there is a limit even to the political abuse we watch every day There are very few Maltese voters who do not suffer the ‘bias syndrome’ and PBS broadcasters are not immune to it either, but that’s not so bad as long as they don’t let it show. Prospective party candidates can’t hide their loyalty to the party they represent and it is well neigh impossible for them to project an image of neutrality wherever they are.
This nice Lady has two soft spots in her spirit, a political career and a broadcaster on the State TV; she has a choice as human decency does not include tolerance to this blatant conflict.
carmel ellul
Sep 19th 2012, 11:03
any public officer has to resign from his job in the public service, even if he is an unskilled labourer. so why should she be an exception?
Ms.D. Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 11:03
Are the medical specialists planning to contest the next general election, not at an advantage over others when they are allowed to keep their posts at the government hospitals? Could they not be tempted at this particular moment in time to use their status in the hospital to influence their patients too...and on NHS time?
Why pick on Ms Pace?
A.Felex Busuttil
Sep 19th 2012, 10:33
Qalbi Claudette dik hija l-ghazla li ghamilt INT. Int ghazil it tmiem ta 17 il sena karriera. X'tippretendi li l-istazzjon ta li stat bi flus il poplu jibqa jghatik publicita . Personali nahseb li ghamilt decizzjoni hazina ghax illum aktar min 53% iharsu lejk mod iehor u l-kumplament qatt ma kellhom grazzja mieghek jew kantanti li maru l-eurovision ghax jghidulhom hamalli. Pace jew Butigieg? Buttigieg titla l-fuq fil lista. Qalbi Claudette nahseb kien zball kbir li karriera brillanti hallatta mal politika ghax jekk trid tibqa in the limelight kull ma fadallek in NET, 101 jew RTK, dawk jigbru lill kullhadd, Qabel kont inhares lejk bhala artista illum inhares lejk bhala politikanta. awguri
E Schembri
Sep 19th 2012, 10:41
naqbel 100%
Joe Fenech
Sep 19th 2012, 11:37
Spot on!
Some people want their cake and eat it!
j brincat
Sep 19th 2012, 10:31
@E. Curmi
"is Pl already taking over PBS???"
Are you for real?
You know perfectly well who took TOTAL control of PBS!
(jb)
j brincat
Sep 19th 2012, 10:29
@Carmel Borg
"I think that there are no such rules but that it is an ad hoc decision..."
There are rules so you are wrong!
(jb)
A.Felex Busuttil
Sep 19th 2012, 11:39
etika titlob li stazzjon li huwa finanzjat mill poplu ma jhallix min jiehu rikba min fuqu. Il partiti jghamlu li jridu ghax privati. yes the rules are there and she has to stop. She is lucky they allowed her another 10 days.
m. borg (slm)
Sep 19th 2012, 10:24
Claudette wants her toast buttered on both sides.
Alan Deidun
Sep 19th 2012, 10:01
Wish you luck Claudette, but unfortunately, once you throw your hat in the fray, you have to literally carry the can (consequences) - I too was asked to halt my regular Sunday Times articles during my brief stint in politics 3 years ago - with hindsight, I must say (despite my political leanings) that its a pity that a universally popular figure like yourself gave in to partisan politics - anyway, best of luck, since you will need it since there is plenty of backstabbing out there and unfortunately your family will be the ones to suffer most (from your prolonged absence as a result of canvassing, lobbying, etc) - have you mulled if its all worth it - i.e. losing so much time from your family? Apologies for being so cynic but you need to be prepared for the bumpy road ahead - good luck
Lawrence Fenech
Sep 19th 2012, 09:30
Bullseye, titlef paga biex tidhol ghal inkwiet.
E. Curmi
Sep 19th 2012, 09:24
is Pl already taking over PBS???
Anthony Scicluna
Sep 19th 2012, 09:17
@Francis Saliba
From a state owned broadcasting perspective, it is not a discriminatory action: that air time give her an unfair advantage over all other contestants irrespective of the content of her programme.
We shouldn't forget that in the 1980s, Labour engaged in unbalanced broadcasting.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Sep 19th 2012, 10:13
I agree with you that in the 1980s broadcasting was grossly one-sided and such a situation must not be repeated.
The present action is discriminatory in the absence of proven political bias in Claudette Pace's neutral programme "Sellili". If any such bias should be introduced, PBS has all the means to redress any lack of balance.
Depriving Claudette Pace of her broadcaster's rights on mere speculation of what she may possibly do in the future is banal and inexcusably discrminatory. One might just as well ban doctors from practicing their profession if they seek election.
Anthony Scicluna
Sep 19th 2012, 10:46
The comparison is spurious simply on that basis that a doctor does not "broadcast" to thousands of patients at the same time. His or her reach at a single point is limited to one or two people. Perhaps a doctor (at most) may see 40 or 50 people in any given working day (?). Ms Pace gets a captive audience of thousands at any single point.
Publicity/Advertising are very powerful and often underestimated interest generating tools.
It is not that Ms Pace should not be allowed to exercise her profession. The point is not to allow her to do so on an impartial state owned medium. This is irrespective of the content. She may never be biased and conduct herself properly without the need of intervention. The fact remains that she will get more exposure on an impartial station than all other candidates (PN, AD and MLP).
E Schembri
Sep 19th 2012, 11:00
@Francis
Doctors, teachers or any other profession do not control the masses.
But the media does! So having additional air time, what ever the content, may open the door to discretely influence the audience.
This would be acceptable on private stations but not the state TV which financed from our taxes.
Anthony Scicluna
Sep 19th 2012, 11:18
@ E Schembri
That's typical labour rhetoric aimed at controlling and censoring free speech. I am not surprised by your retort.
The democratic and pro- free speech prescription is as I stated From a state owned broadcasting perspective, it is not a discriminatory action to exclude someone in this way: state owned air time gives her an unfair advantage over all other contestants (PN, MLP, AD) irrespective of the content of her programme.
In Labour times PBS was unfair and unbalanced. Let's not go there.
Brian Gatt
Sep 19th 2012, 11:26
@ Francis Saliba, I am sorry i have to disagree, how can one mix the revered profession of a doctor to that of a broadcaster. Being a Doctor is not just a profession, saving lives is not just earning a living, how can anyone mix the two. I am sorry for Claudette, she is a great entertainer but once she chose to enter Politics she should have done her homework and mulled over the pros and cons of her desicion.
Unless this was planned from the start so that the PN will have a candidate presenting a popular (unbaised programme till now) followed by a good chunk of the electorate.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 19th 2012, 12:33
Francis Saliba: unfortunately I cannot ask you the question: what would you say if instead of Claudette Pace we had a labour candidate running a daily show? Would you also agree that PBS would be discriminating? I say 'unfortunately' as anyone with labour leanings has been kept firmly outside the doors of PBS. Only those who sing the government's praises are allowed on TV - not much different from the 1980's.
j brincat
Sep 19th 2012, 08:58
She should have sought legal advice BEFORE deciding to contest the elections.
PBS has its own rules which she undoubtedly knows or ought to know what they stipulate.
Should the rules be changed because Claudette decided to join the political fray?
You can't have the cake and eat it.
(jb)
Carmel Borg
Sep 19th 2012, 10:05
I think that there are no such rules but that it is an ad hoc decsion. Even if there are rules, there is nothing wrong in checking if these rules are in line with the respective law. I too have my opinion and it is that, that if she does not discuss politics in her programme, there is nothing wrong. However irrispective of my opinion, if PBS does have such rules, have legal right to implement them and does this in all cases, then let the fairness prevail.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 19th 2012, 16:36
Carmel Borg: why would PBS take such an ad hoc decision? They must have a reason for deciding and somehow I do not think it was made to ensure fair elections. So if it was an ad hoc decision, who pushed PBS to take such a decision? Of course, I do not agree with you as PBS is clearly applying its rules in this case.
Claudio Cilia
Sep 19th 2012, 08:42
I don't know why all this fuss? maybe most here are either jealous or have personal interest? It is true that someone who is politically related should preferably opt out of national TV, however on the other hand, it is unfair. Im sure most TV presenters have their own political opinion and I believe that irrespective of the political choice, anyone has the right to chase their 'dreams' and continue doing what they do best... and after all its just an afternoon daily show, I would be concerned if she was doing a political programme or something related .. People need to respect other's opinions and let people live!
Carmel Borg
Sep 19th 2012, 10:06
WEll said.
John L Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 11:34
She can opt to keep her show on non-state funded TV stations. Otherwise she will be using her air time to promote herself directly/indirectly. The law is clear for everyone. She should have thought it well before submitting herself to contest.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 19th 2012, 16:39
"after all its just an afternoon show". Yes and a lot can be said in subtle ways to influence the viewers. If the presenter keeps on harping on what a wonderful government we have (as they do on PBS news) , that is pure propoganda.
George Camilleri
Sep 19th 2012, 08:38
a gentle word of advice Claudette - drop politics and resume your excellent career as a presenter. this way at least you know you're safe and furnished with an income.
besides that, i think the PBS rule makes sense. you can't have people on NATIONAL tv presenting supposedly non-political programmes and still running as candidates with a political party. maybe Claudette has no intention of giving biased statements during such programmes but there is no guarantee to that, in which case general prevention is advised.
in essence, one cannot have the cake and eat it.
Peter Buttigieg
Sep 19th 2012, 08:36
It is unfair to be made redundant simply because the person is contesting an election. As long as she does not use her program as propaganda, and the content of the program does not change to a politically oriented one, she should be allowed to continue with her life. If she then breaches the broadcasting rules then by all means fire her as she would have asked for it. But her political beleifs and choices should not preclude her from continuing with her life.
A.M. Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 20:58
Mr Buttigieg , may I point out that you can get propoganda simply by exposing yourself to the public on the visual media ?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Sep 19th 2012, 08:27
@ Charles Bayliss, today at 07:37.
Unless Claudette's programme includes discussion of political matters, depriving her of her job on television is tantamount to serious discrimination against her for her affiliation to a political party, immaterial which political party. So is the stupid allegation that anyone presenting himself/herself as a prospective candidate for election in a democracy would be "thammeg isimha bil-politika".
Joe Fenech
Sep 19th 2012, 11:31
I think you're getting it wrong. This is not just 'affiliation to a party' but a party candidate. No party should have its candidates presenting TV programmes. It creates familiarity with the viewers who could be potential voters.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 19th 2012, 16:46
Dr Saliba: see B.Testa's reply below at 05.52 today for your reply. It does not have to be blatantly obvious to brainwash people into thinking that we never had it so good. Even PBS news tried this trick on the eve of the last budget when they sent reporters to Spain and Greece and showed us interview of locals complaining about how bad things were. The truth is something else. I have just come back from a week's holiday in Greece and life seemed pretty normal: restaurants and shops full, no people dying in the street of hunger as PBS wanted us to believe.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Sep 19th 2012, 08:25
Politics aside .... is it or isn't it true that according to the PBS broadcasting rules one cannot be an election candidate and a broadcaster at the same time ??
If the answer is TRUE then I don't see any other reason for her remarks than for publicity reasons... I'm pretty sure that with a 17 year broadcasting career she knows how things work!
Anton Scerri Borg
Sep 19th 2012, 08:02
Lill dawn kollha li qieghdin jghatu parir lill Claudette biex issa tmur man-Net TV.
Nahseb li bir-ritmu li ghaddejjin hemm iktar possibilita' li tmur fuq One Tv ghax iktar qieghdin naraw nazzjonalisti hemm milli fuq in-Net!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E. Mifsud
Sep 19th 2012, 08:28
Ghal dawk kollha li diga nsew: Claudette diga kienet ma' Super One u nafu kif spiccat meta tal-Lejber kienu tilfu l-elezzjoni. Ma nahsibx li Claudette tixtieq terga' tghaddi minn dik l-esperjenza kerha!
G Pace
Sep 19th 2012, 08:41
Mela ax kont nazzjonalist ifisser li tkun adek ? Min jafni jaf kemm kont naz imma l lum madnix.il poplu sar jizen.ex pn activist.
Victor Vella
Sep 19th 2012, 12:06
Dan iffisser haga wahda sur Scerri Borg li il-partit nazzjonalista jew partit ngann m`ghandu xejn x`jofri hlief brieghed u grieden li nawru minn gewwa dan il-partit spiccut.
Charles Bayliss
Sep 19th 2012, 07:37
Sfortuna li Claudette se thammeg isimha bil-politika hu min hu l-partit. Persuna fl-entertainment tkun qed taghmel "suwwicidju" meta tmiss dirett mal-politika, i.e. tikkontensta elezzjoni generali. U jekk ma tkunx successiv/a, x'jigri wara? Possibli li tkun tista' tkompli karriera fl-entertainment bla riperkussjonijiet. Mhux permezz ta' vjolenza, vendikazzjonijiet etc. le mhux dan imma kif iharsu lejn din il-persuna certu nies. Kull persuna ghandha dritt ta' l-opinjoni politika taghha, imma sakemm din ma' tkunx lahqet certu livell, kulhadd jinsa jew ma jaghtiex kas. Imma galadarba isem jidher fuq polza tal-vot, l-affarijiet jinbidlu.
Anthony Scicluna
Sep 19th 2012, 08:49
Charles, Norman Hamilton mhux hekk kien?
Jien personalment ma toghogobnix imma ghandha dritt li tohrog. Izda, fil hajja trid taghmel is-sagrificji - ma tistax taqdi lil-Alla u x-xitan
Charles Bayliss
Sep 19th 2012, 09:42
@ Anthony Scicluna. Sa fejn naf jien Norman Hamilton qatt ma kkontensta Elezzjoni Generali. Jekk qieghed zbaljat jekk jogghbok ghidli f'liema sena ikkontesta. Li hu vociferu lejn il-PL iva imma mbaghad kulhadd ghandu dritt li jsemma lehnu. Imma galadarba tohrog ghall-elezzjoni trid tohrog u taccetta kollox, il-konsegwenzi sbieh u koroh.
Albert Spiteri
Sep 19th 2012, 07:22
I think it's a most unfair and anti-democratic law that makes a capable TV personality, practicing her profession to perfection as her only source of income, like Claudette Pace, should just pack up and get out and make herself unemployed and unemployable simply because she has decided practice her legal and constitutional right to participate in the parliamentary electoral process. How can she choose between her profession, her career and political involvement at election level? Malta is too small too restricted, too poor to go afford capricious laws like this one. With the same distortion of values and priorities in our legal system this stupid law should extend to public officers, medical doctors, legal people or even sports personalities. It seems that instead of controlling corruption in politics we have decided to succumb, accept and go round it - instead of legislating strongly against it.
Clive Clive
Sep 19th 2012, 08:14
Its anti-democtratic if she stays there ! Issa jtuwha programm fuq in-Net filkass sur Albert Spiteri
Anthony Scicluna
Sep 19th 2012, 08:51
Albert, in principle that should be the case. However, wouldn't that air time give her an unfair advantage over all others? Democracy is about fair play
A.Felex Busuttil
Sep 19th 2012, 11:43
GONZIPN asked for the removal of Jason Micallef from Chairman of ONE which is a private station not paid by the public, and Jason he is never on air. But what do you excpect from a station financed by the public. PBS was manipulated worse than the 80's. Ask Xarabank and bondi +. Albert you know better because you worked so many years in media and you were a PN candidate too.
C Falzon
Sep 19th 2012, 07:21
Claudette m ghidt xejn meta l partit li tant tghozz hareg qatta bla habel kontra Jason Micallef biex jirrizenja minn ONE TV......Issa ghax jolqot lilek ha tfittex parir legali. Diga bdejt turi x issarraf Claudette.
O. Grixti
Sep 19th 2012, 06:53
I think after all PBS are right and make sense.
TVM is a national TV station and it is seen by people from both parties. Having a presenter which is a candidate of one party does not make sense to present on the national station, the program can lose audience and discussions can finish biased. She can continue on NET TV. In my opinion she was chosen as a party candidate only for this reason as she present on national TV.
N. Agius
Sep 19th 2012, 06:49
You cannot have the best of both worlds. If you think that your broadcasting career is more important, then I believe you are still in time to pull out.
Ms.D. Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 11:00
Why? Would you give the same sort of advice to prospective candidates( PN and PL) who happen to earn their keep with a regular job at Mater Dei and who are presently taking advantage of their position to accomodate patients of their political persuation?
B Testa
Sep 19th 2012, 05:52
Thank god that someone realized that the program she is presenting is a magazine programme advertising government work. A sponsorship by the government to a person who has now become its candidate. Besides that she is also a PR assistant to a minister which allows her to prepare the programs as well.
I ask the investigative media to take a sample of a couple of her programs randomly and estimate the amount of time she interviews employees of the government or government entities. This will really show how fine political brainwashing is done in this country and how certain people of the klikka are being funded by the taxpayer's money.
maria mallia
Sep 19th 2012, 08:35
B Testa I totally agree with your statement - if one were to analyse the majority of her programmes on national tv the conclustion is very simple - she is a mastery in political brainwashing and she got away with it all these years. No more dear Claudette, even if you were to pull out of the political race now, you sure managed to highlight in bold letters your true colours.
The real reason that the present administration consider her to be an asset for the next general election is only through her popularity, they're desperate to balance the surveys which shows a big gap between both parties and they feel that time is running out.
Edward Farrugia
Sep 19th 2012, 00:57
This is all wrong terminating Claudette's (or for that matter any Tom, Dick and Harry) current job as she will be contesting the next general election irrespective on which side of the political spectrum she opted to contest. This is so as her role on MTV is exclusively restricted to programmes completely detached from politics. In this sense there should not be any discrimination between her and other contestants whose roles embrace professions (backbenchers like doctors, lawyers, nurses, managers, accountants etc.who are allowed to continue working) that in themselves are not political orientated. I would add that her retaining the post as TV presenter would be conditioned to her distancing herself from politics in whatever form and shape whilst so employed, failing which she would be subject to immediate dismissal.
To insult to injury she is being barred from employment before possibly being elected killing her career prematurely. This is a great injustice which calls for an immediate remedy for justice' sake.
Have we forgotten when in MLP's time in office we had people (I abstain to recall their names) who abused their position whilst in charge of broadcasting uttering obscenities at EFA like " run rabbit run....." and no action whatsoever was taken against these culprits to this day.
PBS are urged to exercise due justice and refrain from bringing politics in to interfere with the the day to day running of their business if the Board of this entity is to act seriously without fear and favour.
Ms.D. Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 00:53
Well known medical specialist working are not resigning from their ''regular '' jobs at Mater Dei because they are contesting the general elections.
So why should Ms. Pace lose her livelihood at PBS ?
James Tabone
Sep 18th 2012, 23:59
@ Jurg Meier This is not a matter of freedom of speech. She has every right to have an opinion but here we are talking about the national tv station and therefore she has to choose between keeping her job and politics. With regards to your statement that she is able to make a distinction I have my doubts. I ve seen the program and one can notice the propoganda with regards to the ministry of health where she was employed before. Other ministries were not given the same platform.
S. Cuschieri
Sep 18th 2012, 23:28
so if i'm a doctor/lawyer/manager.... should I resign just because I'm choosing to be a candidate in an election? it's ridiculous.... this is her profession after all, one that she carried out quite well since it's been going on for 17 years. i don't think that people will vote for her just cause she's on tv!!
Joseph Arpa
Sep 18th 2012, 23:27
Im my opinion Claudette, why enter the political scene???? Stay away from politics while you still have the chance.....people love you the way you are.
Angelo Vassallo
Sep 18th 2012, 23:03
@ EDDIE privitera
EDDIE mid-dehra insejt dawk il-HNIZRIJIET MOQZIEZA fuq l-istazzjon nazzjonali Xandir (DARDIR) Malta fi zmien mintoff is-salvatur mibdul fi TRADITUR mill-partit lejburista stess, u li permezz ta' "DARDIR MALTA" ridtu toholqu generazzjoni socjalista. Insejtha inti din EDDIE!!!
Claudette Pace can continue her career on Net TV. But she shouldn't expect the national tv station to serve as her propaganda platform for the election !
S Farrugia
Sep 18th 2012, 23:00
Ms Pace was reacting to a statement issued earlier today by Public Broadcasting Services, saying it had written to Ms Pace’s production house, asking for an alternative presenter for Ms Pace's programme Sellili as from October 1.
mela jiena fhimt li trid tinstab prezentattrici ohra ... mela allura Claudette xorta tista' tibqa taghmel il-programm, izda mil-lat ta' produzzjoni, allura b'daqshekk mhux ha jnaqqsilha mill-ghixien taghha .... jew inkella l-problema hija li mhux se tibqa' tidher????
Luciano Pace Parascandalo
Sep 18th 2012, 22:59
well to be fair she should seek to terminate contract with PBS and produce Sellili on Net TV....Net would benefit from this for sure
Joseph Borg
Sep 19th 2012, 10:10
Net TV forsi jibbenifika imma hi ma nahsibx. PBS ghandu wisq iktar televiewers minn NET TV, fill fatt ma hemx paragun allura business wise ma jaqbilx.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 19th 2012, 16:48
But GonziPN will benefit more from her presence on PBS - viewers of different political colours would watch her programme.
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Sep 18th 2012, 22:55
It may have been wiser to stand her down for some time or give her alternative employment within PBS. I suspect this may well amount to discrimination on the basis of political activity. People should be encouraged to participate in the country's political activities. That is what democracy is all about, and this from someone who wants to see the PL in power as soon as possible.
Joe Fenech
Sep 19th 2012, 11:36
I'm not with you on this. Being on TV creates familiarity with viewers who could become potential voters.
One has to chose: politics or TV host.
Apart from this, what credentials allow her to be suitable for politics? She did not host political or journalistic programmes, but a family programme. But, you're right - I guess that's what democracy is all about. Id-demokrazija taz-Zeza ta' Bubaqra!
Angelo Vassallo
Sep 18th 2012, 22:49
@ A Farrugia
Ikun interessanti hafna kieku intom il-lejburisti tistaqsu lil dak li kumbinazzjoni jismu bhalek, jigifieri lill-avukat anglu farrugia, deputat mexxej tal-partit lejburista, bhala kanditat lejburista fil-Hdax-il distrett (H'Attard, Hal-Balzan u l-Mosta) jghidilna huwa x'jahseb dwar il-kanditatura tar-rivali tieghu jason "IL-KING" micallef???
A.Felex Busuttil
Sep 19th 2012, 11:46
jekk qed tirreferi ghal ONE TV dak huwa stazzjon privat bhal ma huwa NET. Anglu jaf x'ghandu x'jghamel. mhux se tghidlu int. Angli hemm tajba u hziena.
Eddy Privitera
Sep 19th 2012, 17:06
X'jaghmlu l-partit fuq il-media taghhom hija bicca tal-pertiti. Izda li jsir fuq li stazzjon nazzjonali, huwa fl-interess nazzjonali !
Joe Fenech
Sep 18th 2012, 22:48
So you expect to be on TV and go into politics??!!! Do you think that's fair for the others? You can't have your cake and eat it.
And why do we need to know that you're seeking legal advice? This is just free publicity!
And why does a TV presenter want to be a politician? What portfolio does she have? I mean credentials that serve the country not herself.
"She said she was fiercely proud of her acceptance as a Nationalist candidate and that she would do her utmost to see the party elected to government once again to continue its excellent service to the country and the people."
The people? You mean 'certain people' like you who have had it so good. How in the first place did you get into TV? Talent I suppose...
Alfred Falzon
Sep 18th 2012, 22:47
With due respect to Claudette, she could have announced her decision at a later date.
As things stand, she cannot expect to enjoy publicity as a personality and an officially announced PN candidate, even though she may be proud of her choice.
That's fair play, unless there are others like her on our national TV.
But that's up to her.
Good luck, we wish you well, but we have to call a spade a spade.
Alfred A. Falzon
Joe Fenech
Sep 19th 2012, 11:32
Very well put!
Mr Pierre Portelli
Sep 18th 2012, 22:23
A word of support to DeeMedia the production house which ended without a presenter 2 weeks ahead of the new schedule. Good luck Clau in your new venture.
Joe Felice-Pace
Sep 18th 2012, 22:18
These regulations date back to colonial times. It's high time they are archived. Freedom of the press is one of the main pillars of democracy. Resist.
Joe Felice Pace
j brincat
Sep 18th 2012, 21:45
Advice should have been sought BEFORE consenting to stand for election NOT afterwards.
But nothing seems to go right in GonzPN's camp!
(jb)
George Joseph Cauchi
Sep 18th 2012, 21:30
I think Claudette has already made a fundamental mistake before she has even started her political career. That of looking into the situation after she decided to get into that situation. This sounds familiar.
Susan Cassar
Sep 18th 2012, 21:04
Well as long as her show has nothing got to do with politics she should be allowed to continue to present if on the other hand a show could be related to politcs i think that both parties should not be allowed to have candidates on a neutral TV station ...
Daniel Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:56
Int bis serjeta claudette? Lol mux bizejed gibnih xibka ta gonzipn skond franco debono
Albert Zammit
Sep 18th 2012, 20:52
Ghandha ragun tiehu parir. Imma hemm xi hadd fil-prezent li hu/hi bhala?
Joseph Borg
Sep 19th 2012, 10:22
L-inteligenti kien jiehu l-parir qabel ifattara u mhux wara u hi ma hix mic-cwiec, ghalekk nasal ghal konkluzjoni li hi kienet taf minn qabel ser jigri pero ghazlett li tohrog kandidata mal PN, bhal ma kella kull dritt ti taghmel Din kollha propoganda rhisa li tiehu l-pariri issa.
Ronnie Callus
Sep 18th 2012, 20:52
Possibli Claudette li ma' kontx taf li jekk se' tohrog ghall politika ma' tistax tkompli bil-karriera tieghek fuq ix-xandir ??? Ma' hatx parir minghand Dr.Gonzi forsi kien jghidlek!! jew l-ewwel naffguha imbaghad naraw kif se' nirrangaw. L-unika sulluzzjoni forsi li ghandek u li tmur fuq Net tv forsi jilqghuk b'idejjhom miftughha. Ghadek lanqas bdejt u diga qed tfittex l-interess personali tieghek !! Mela x'se' jigri fil-parlament jekk tkun qed tirrepprezentana. Din bhall 500 euro li hadu huma u lilna tawna kwazi daqs haqq gelat jekk tawna.
Philip Hili
Sep 19th 2012, 01:00
@ Ronnie Callus
Tidher li ghadek zghir sur Callus!!
Tajjeb li tkun taf li jekk fil-kuntratt tax-xoghol ma jkollokx specifikament li jekk tigi li tikkontesta elezzjoni generali f'isem xi partit politiku inti ghandek tirrizenja, allura, sew il-PBS kif ukoll l-Awtorita' Tax-Xandir, huma zbaljati jekk temmew il-kuntratt tax-xoghol meta fl-istess kuntratt ma kienx hemm din il-klawsola.
Tajjeb ukoll li wiehed izomm quddiem ghajnjeh li diga' kien inholoq kaz ta' din ix-xorta fil-bidu tal-karriera politika ta' John Dalli. Dak iz-zmien, din il-kumpanija privata oggezzjonat li s-Sur Dalli jikkontesta l-elezzjoni f'isem il-PN. Is-Sur John Dalli kien iggieled dan l-abbuz minn naha tal-kumpanija u John Dalli kien hareg rebbieh. Dan huwa kaz publiku ghax sahansitra kien inghata publicita' fuq il-gurnali ta' dak iz-zmien.
Mela sinjuri tal-PBS u ta' L-Awtorita' tax-Xandir, qabel tfattur kunu certi minn dak li ser tkunu se taghmlu.
Godfrey Camilleri
Sep 18th 2012, 20:50
Although painful I agree with the decision that whoever decides to be a candidate for election cannot use public broadcasting to have his exposure with the public enhanced. It is not a question of having balanced programmes but a question of exposure.
D. Xerri
Sep 18th 2012, 21:10
Exactly !
Peter Simpson
Sep 18th 2012, 20:50
Its the spirit that counts, and there must be equal playing field to all PN and Pl candidates. I wish her good luck in her singing career, but I won't be voting for her.
Tony Gatt
Sep 18th 2012, 20:47
In my humble opinion free bad publicity is better than no publicity at all on the eve of an election. Best regards to all.
Paul Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:47
Dear Claudette ! I love you to bits, but your move came too early. And Irrespective of your beleives you do understand that a Public Broadcasting Service has to APPEAR neutral , note the emphasis on the appear. Therefor I suggest you start your career in politics by doing what's best for your image. You do understand that just overnight you dropped 40% or more from facebook surveys that go on every day. I wish you luck. You never know maybe we'll meet in Parliament facing each other. Haha...I'll cook you something live on Parliament TV
Joseph Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:39
Certi nies lanqas jindunaw li qedin ifitxu l-interes personali taghhom. Tant hu hekk li jinkixfu mal publiku mill-attidutni taghhom. Mur gibha fil parlament mela ser taghmel din. Taf li regolamenti qedin hemm u hadd ma jista jibqa jipprezenta fuq ix xandir once li int iddecitejt li tohrog ghal politika. Issa irsisti halli taqla l-ghejxien tieghek mill parlament. Hafna jkun iktar id dhul zgur.
Chris Gatt
Sep 18th 2012, 20:51
Dear Mr Borg " Taf li regolamenti qedin hemm u hadd ma jista jibqa jipprezenta fuq ix xandir once li int iddecitejt li tohrog ghal politika"
Question can a candidate continue working as a lawyer/doctor/architect? Can they curry favours doing that job? Are you saying that people are so stupid that they will vote for a particular party (let alone a person) because she is a 'personality' Has an election been called? If an election is called in March is it justified to stop her working six months before?
If she had announced her intention a year ago, would you also expect her to stop being a broadcaster considering she is NOT a news person or a court official?
Just asking
Franco Attard Trevisan
Sep 19th 2012, 08:20
@ Chris Gatt,
the case is somewhat different from what you compared it to... This is our national station we are talking about and neutrality is essential (or at least an appearance of neutrality!)
Jurg Meier
Sep 18th 2012, 20:39
Why should she not be able to continue with her job? Just because she wants to get into politics? I think she's very much able to make a distinction between the two!
Where is freedom of speech? Where is the right to have an opinion? - Can she have one?
Go for this legal battle! I just hope you don't end up being burnt at the stake, Claudette!
Prosit Claudette!
Doreen Attard
Sep 18th 2012, 22:29
Really Mr Meier ? Do you really think she is very much able to make a distinction between her job and politics ? Sorry but it's beside the point. The rule is there for something much different than that. She will have exposure on the state tv station for the detriment of her fellow candidates. THAT IS THE POINT and not whatever you were blabbering about. Contrary to what you adviced Claudette, I say concentrate on your personal campagne since you said you're so happy that you have been accepted as a pn candidate, maybe we can get another woman in Parliament.
M Cachia
Sep 18th 2012, 22:41
What does this have to do with freedom of speech? All that is going on is that PBS is following the law, i.e that no political candidate can make use of the independant national station over and above that of another candidate/party. I suggest you verse yourself in the subject before making a fool of yourself in public
Mike Abbot
Sep 19th 2012, 09:36
Just because she wants to get into politics?
'just'?
well i'm glad you feel a place in politics is so important to you...
carmel ellul
Sep 19th 2012, 11:01
well, herr meier, this issue is nothing about Ms Claudette Pace. It's about the lack of trust the two parties have in each other! It's about the irrelevance of tall maltese political parties in today's matters. And if the parties do not trust each other, why should they expect that we, the people, trust them?
Malcolm Seychell
Sep 18th 2012, 20:38
Taf tisthi???? l PBS stazzjon nazzjonali. Filkas mmur Net TV
A. Schembri
Sep 18th 2012, 21:52
ezatt..prosit Malcolm
H Stafrace
Sep 18th 2012, 20:36
Timely action by PBS. Action of a National Station.
Mr Albert Dimech
Sep 18th 2012, 20:33
How politically naive you all are. As a candidate she can potentially take another PM's seat and that won't be a Labour MP. So 1+1c = ........
Lawrence Fenech
Sep 18th 2012, 20:33
X'tawid.
A Farrugia
Sep 18th 2012, 20:31
Ahjar qabel tiehu parir legali Pace, tistaqsi lill kanditati nazzjonalisti shabha ta distrett taghha x'jahsbu fuq din il bicca xoghol. Interesentanti nkunu nafu kif jahsbuha.
Michael Bugeja
Sep 18th 2012, 20:31
Proset PBS, tad-decizjoni, ghax l-istazzjon u Nazzjonali.Nahseb ,hija tista tmur fuq in net anytime,fl-opinjoni tieghi
R. Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:31
Claudete sellili ghal Gonzi. Tista taghmel il program fuq in Net li huwa seqwit aktar mil PBS u awguri.
M camilleri
Sep 18th 2012, 20:25
Ms Pace,
Kont taf xpass ha taghmel kikku kont politikanta tajjba kont missek tfajt ir rizenja min qabel mil Pbs, Dejjem tista tmur fuq in Net u tista tkompli il karrira min ghar problema. Mhux sewwa li ikun hemm lebda kandidat mil lebda naha specjalment f kampanja eletorali bhal li gejja fil ghimat li gejjin. Nahseb Lewwel pass ghamiltu hazin,
Joseph Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:23
Claudette, that's called democracy and transparency. Do you expect to be in the middle of an electoral campaign and conduct a program on the national television? What about the other candidates, do they have the same privilege? As far as I know, Alternattiva Demokratika and other Independent candidates don't have that luxury?
That's what I call "Level playing field". You can always move to Net TV now that you chose to ruin your career by tasting the sour cream of politics.
A. Xuereb
Sep 18th 2012, 20:21
These had been brought into play because of the way Labour chose to conduct itself in this area. ... So Ms Pace sees nothing wrong in being an election candidate and presenting a programme on the national channel? What about a level playing field Ms Pace?What about the other candidates?
As for your comment re PL, how very professional of you, is this the way you intend to campaign? How about telling us why people should vote for you?
Eve Axiaq
Sep 18th 2012, 20:18
X'arroganza. Claudete Pace kienet taf bhalma jaf kullhadd li ma tistax tipprezenta. Mela x'se taghmel fil parlament!
John L Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 11:38
Min qallek li se tigi eletta!! lol
Charles Micallef
Sep 18th 2012, 20:18
Something on the lines that you cannot have the cake and eat it, although there are many who do just that already!!
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Sep 18th 2012, 20:16
So many masks are falling.................& now it is time for people not to wonder why anymore!! This is the rot in which our country is run.
Paul Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:51
I love your words of Wisdom Dr Emmy. Kemm ili ma narak ir Restaurant South Street. Your're great!
Hossam Helwani
Sep 18th 2012, 23:11
I dislike your hypocrecy dr bezzina , you forgot way back in the 80's when you were doing a programme on then xandir Malta and it was brought to attention that you were breaking the rules as a potential candidate for mlp . But you chose to declare conveniently that you had no intentions of running for the election. As soon as your programme schedule ran out you immediately placed your bid for the elections and the rest is history. Dont think for a moment that people forget! I never did and I find your comment disgusting. Shame on you.
joseph azzopardi
Sep 18th 2012, 20:10
she can join NET tv
Charles Massa
Sep 18th 2012, 20:07
Ghada kemm thabret bhala kandidata u diga bdiet bl arroganza. Claudette Pace imissha taf li fil politika trid taghmel sagrificji . Jekk riedet tibqa taghmel karriera bil broadcasting imissha ma hargitx ghal elezzjoni. Ma tippretnedix li ghandha tibqa tmexxi programm fuq stazjon nazzjonali meta qieghdin f kampanja elettorali.
Ms Sandra Grech
Sep 18th 2012, 20:22
Dear Mr Massa, in civilised countries that is called discrimination and PBS would not be allowed to get away with it.
Paul Borg
Sep 18th 2012, 20:54
Dear Sandra Grech...maybe you should translate the abbreviation that you wrote. In there lies the answer. PBS public broadcasting service min flusi u flusek u mhux NET or ONE
M Cachia
Sep 18th 2012, 22:25
Ms Grech - In civilised countries the presenter would have resigned.
No one would dream of doing this farce on the BBC
Hubert Paul Farrugia
Sep 18th 2012, 20:07
Having known Claudette professionally some years ago, she is much more than 'just' a presenter and singer. She's a very successful entrepreneur who through her hard work has created a dignified and profitable career. Compared to certain MPs, she well-above average experience in the real world to share and utilise in her parliamentary work if elected. Good luck Claudette.
Mike Abbot
Sep 19th 2012, 09:35
she may well be very intelligent but not intelligent enough to realise she is setting a dangerous precedent? that of allowing politicians to be media personalities? This should not be acceptable and we should push back with all our might.
Victor Vella
Sep 18th 2012, 20:02
Kienu jghidu ghal tal-Lejber li l-istazzjon nazzjonali mimmli bil-lejburisti fi zmien Mintoff. U kemm tkazaw tal-PN u ghajjat EFA. Illum ix-xandir tal-poplu sar tal-PN. Veru li l-ispizzjar milli jkollu jtik.
Joseph Brincat
Sep 18th 2012, 19:58
IT locks she wont it all
Imagine if she will be elcted ????
Eddy Privitera
Sep 18th 2012, 20:29
Claudette Pace can continue her career on Net TV. But she shouldn't expect the national tv station to serve as her propaganda platform for the election !
Ninette Zammit
Sep 18th 2012, 20:49
Mela insejtu zmienkom, Eddie
mark borg
Sep 18th 2012, 21:39
@ninette zammit
le ninette zmienkhom niftakru meta kontu bi ftehim mal knisja tfintu lil nies fil mizbla.
Richard Caruana
Sep 18th 2012, 19:57
Good luck. Hope she wins this. It's so stupid that one has to give up a broadcasting career when other professionals continue without hindrance.
What's so different between a doctor and a broadcaster? The doctor is in touch with hundreds of people daily, all potential voters, as do all other professionals.
R. Cilia
Sep 18th 2012, 21:06
I do not agree with you, Mr.Caruana. A doctor talking about politics in his clinic is different from a presenter on National TV.
Christine Vella
Sep 19th 2012, 00:06
what's the difference? A programme on the national station which most people watch and which is being run by OUR MONEY ...and a doctor who is working privately. Whats the difference?
John L Galea
Sep 19th 2012, 07:59
@R. Caruana: The doctor is not given air on citizen media paid by their taxes that is the difference while a presenter is using the media for his/her advantage paid by all citizens. Also this is the law and one has to stick to it. If she didn't want to terminate her career she shouldn't have presented herself as candidate. These people want to swallow everything around them and get fatter than they are.
So your reasoning is so flawed.
joseph cassar
Sep 18th 2012, 19:50
I agree with pbs as she may have advantage on others escpecially the new candidates.
Hossam Helwani
Sep 18th 2012, 19:49
I do not understand why claudette pace wishes to resume with her programme. This is the rule , anyone who is about to contest an election should not get on air advantage in that manner. Claudette should be honest enough to know this. This is not only ethical but lawfull. She should have done the honorouble thing and resigned knowing too well all the consequences.
Alfred Vassallo
Sep 18th 2012, 20:17
'I do not understand why claudette pace wishes to resume with her programme'. Because she wants the cake, icing, and all
A.Felex Busuttil
Sep 18th 2012, 19:25
Rockestra was before 1 October
A. Mifsud
Sep 18th 2012, 19:09
puerile indeed...
J Busuttil
Sep 18th 2012, 19:03
But Sigmund Mifsud still directed Rockestra ( nothing to do with PBS) his contesting the election was long know.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Sep 18th 2012, 19:19
Are you comparing one night conducting an orchestra with a daily programme by Ms Pace addressing viewers? Qed thallat il-hass mal-basal. Also, Mro Mifsud conducted for charity (the Community Chest Fund) - Ms pace presents programmes on PBS to supplement her meagre pay at Castille.
charles tabone
Sep 18th 2012, 19:29
Mro Sigmund Mifsud and Rockestra do not fall under the Broadcasting Authority Laws. Thallatx hass ma qarabaghli
Joseph Attard
Sep 18th 2012, 19:32
X'ghandu x'jaqsam? Mela r-rockestra tidher fuq it-tv kuljum! Allura nwaqqfu lil kull kandidat li joffri servizz lill-istat bhat tobba?
Imma fuq punt iehor, kif kunsilliera ipprezentaw programmi fuq TVM?
Karl Cucciardi
Sep 18th 2012, 19:55
Xghandu x'jaqsam!
m. borg (slm)
Sep 18th 2012, 20:20
There is nothing political about Rockestra it is an event presided by the President of Malta and not Joseph or gonzi.
PBS is a public entity and Claudette knows that as a presenter on PBS she is giving herself extra exposure even if not on political programs, to the detriment of other candidates both PL and gonzipn.
J Busuttil
Sep 18th 2012, 20:44
@ all under my blog.
Typical Labour when pinched toqomsu.
R Axisa
Sep 18th 2012, 18:34
This should take place immediately!
Ray Spiteri
Sep 18th 2012, 19:26
semplici; ghax hirga mal PN; kien xi kandidat tal PL mil l-ewwel. Ma tafx min imexxi l PBS?
D Axisa
Sep 18th 2012, 18:29
Why not from now?
Kristina Cassar
Sep 18th 2012, 18:55
cos the program starts on October 1
Christine Vella
Sep 19th 2012, 00:40
@Kristina Cassar
Programme is showing already in the evenings !!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: