PBS said today that it had protested to the Broadcasting Authority that the Labour Party was 'trying to impose' who should take part in its discussion programmes, rather than let it invite its guests "as is the practice in every democratic country".

PBS said it had informed the political parties that it was the one that decided who it should invite to its programmes and its producers were not to allow any imposition by the political parties.

The issue came to a head when discussion programme presenter Lou Bondi invited Charles Mangion, the PL spokesman on the economy for a programme on job creation, alongside Finance Minister Tonio Fenech. The PL wanted to send somebody else.  

PBS, however, refused and said its invitation was only made to Dr Mangion. 

In its statement, PBS also pointed out that last year, the PL sent election candidates instead of its MPs for discussion programmes - and then the state broadcaster was criticised that more Nationalist MPs had appeared on television that Labour ones.

PL INSISTS PBS CANNOT IMPOSE WHO REPRESENTS THE PARTY

The Labour Party said it was unacceptable that PBS wanted to decide who should represent Labour on its programmes.

Party deputy leader (party affairs) Toni Abela and broadcasting spokesman Gino Vella said that while it was the prerogative of PBS to decide what subjects to tackle in its programmes, it should not decide who should represent the political parties taking part.

Mr Cauchi said that in view of decisions taken by the Broadcasting Authority, the PL had no confidence in the leadership of PBS. He called on PBS not to try to create obstacles in an attempt to stop the PL from taking part in discussion programmes. 

There had been no problems to date, he said, and PBS should not try to create any.

He also insisted on a level playing field for the political parties.