BA upholds PL arguments against PBS
The Broadcasting Authority has said that the Labour Party should be free to decide who it should send to represent it on PBS programmes.
The 'opinion' was delivered after PBS insisted that it should be free to decide who should be a guest on its programmes, and not the political parties. The PL had argued that PBS should not dictate who should represent the party.
The BA decision was taken after what informed sources said was a heated discussion within the BA.
Matters came to a head after PBS invited Charles Mangion to a programme on job creation, but the PL said it would send Karmenu Vella. The PL said the practice of political parties nominating their representatives had not caused problems and should be maintained.
The Broadcasting Authority said it saw no need to change a system that had worked well.
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pat muscat
Oct 3rd 2012, 07:09
Perit Karmenu Vella said it all yesterday during Bondi+: two Nationalist-a minister and a PN supporter, taking to task one Labour representative. Is this called objectivity? Is this fair? What is the Broadcasting Authority for?b
Philip Hili
Oct 3rd 2012, 01:34
Il-programm fuq il-PBS min ser itellghu, kumpanija privatali rebhet kuntratt biex tipproduci dan il-programm, jew il-Partit laburista?
Jekk ser jittella' mill-Partit Laburista ghax ser jigi trasmess dak li jrid il-Partit Laburista u mhux dak li tkun trid il-kumpanija li tipprezenta l-programm, il-Partit Nazzjonalista ma ghandux DRITT li jirrispondi peress li l-programm ikun qieghed jigi mtella' minn partit politiku ? Fi klima ta' kampanja eletorali, dan mhux zvantagg ghal Partit Nazzjonalista - Sinjuri ta' l-Awtorita' tax-Xandir?????
Darba din l-Awtorita' ippermetttiet dirtt ta' risposta lil PL ghax f'dan il-programm kien hemm xi hadd jirrapprezenta lil PN. Issa ser taghti dirtt lil-PN biex iwiegeb ghal dak li ser jintqal mill-PL gala darba il-programm ser ikun imtella' mill-Partit Laburista???
anthony bartolo
Oct 2nd 2012, 21:31
@Maria Xuereb.
Kellkhom bzonn kellkhom nies b'irgulija daqs Karmenu Vella,ghax kollha f'daqqa lanqas taghmlu daqs nofsu.......... kieku kien ikkollna problema kbira biex nidhlu kollha f'daqqa l'Ghadira bil jott
Mr Albert Dimech
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:54
The PBS (NET2) should be pleased that Karmenu Vella will be there, they have spent months targeting him as a supposedly Mintoffian old guard dinosaur. So why all the puss? The PL has a right to decide who to send on the media, not those who are interested in portraying the PL in bad light. The PN has a restricted group of media savvy people they always send on the media.
Richard Caruana
Oct 3rd 2012, 06:36
Good job the PL sent a person like Karmenu Vella.
What a sorry show it was, saying that the living wage is popular in many countries in Europe when he didn't know where... and quite right as well, as it does not exist at all.
And this is the kind of PL member of the Cabinet we're going to have in a few months' time?
Paul Ellul
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:51
Good one Lou,
Your ability to divide and rule is exemplary. You figured that you could not lose this curve ball..... at first glance!
If the BA did not defend the free press(which it did) , it would make the PL and Charles Mangion appear that they are not good in bed together when PL would come out defending its right to decide, which PN would then claim as it is now that PL does not have faith in Charles Mangion.
The irony is that is that is is die-hard PN voters who are being hoodwinked here, and surely not the floating voters and doubting Thomas's.
In the long term these wicked ways are just harming the PN in reality. I bet the PL are really happy to have you shooting auto goals for them.
The PN are in for a reality check soon. At least that seems to be the word on the street. It is amazing how the same dirty tricks that made the PL so unpopular at the end of their tenure, in the 80's (I am referring to how they totally controlled state media to their advantage) are now being played out by the PN.
Another reality is that you're strategic power plays (read as cheap tricks) are working far less now that the population is smarter than it was 25 years ago and that people don't seem to be bothered or concerned about how they perceive things and do go public with their views.
We are not afraid to speak our mind. Thanks to the Information age, that is. You should try it one day.....
You'll feel much better, I guarantee it.
Jimmy Ventura
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:33
How arrogant are the PL.
Haven't they heard GonziPN slogan of 'My Choice'
In Gonzistan the ruler has the right to choose who represent his party and who to represent the opposition.
Sa fl-ahhar il-klikka sabet kappel jigiha.
cesco di luigi
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:11
The PL never learns. Why would they even want to participate in such a biased programme. Sant was correct> He could see right thrugh these attaparsi journalists like Bondi.
Ray Spiteri
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:58
It seems GonziPN is in a terrible state of panic.Trying to spin every issue to alienate all from the dramatic situation the PN are. Dr. Mangion will be a great assit to Malta once PL takes the Government.
John Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:23
Issa naraw Ray... sakemm ma jitfaccax xi super candidate u jqacctu 'l barra. meta bondi plus ghamel programm dwar il-gustizzja, l-MLP baghat lill Manwel mallia flok lil Jose Herrera!
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Oct 2nd 2012, 23:24
John tista tighdlu x fija hazin billi bghatu lil MAllia flokk il Herrera, dak ax partit miftuh u mhux ilaqtu kollox listess nies!
John Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:50
Fom the PL website: Charles Mangion Kelliem Ewlieni ghall-Izvilupp Ekonomiku, Servizzi Finanzjarji, Pensjonijiet, u Chairman tal-Kumitat ghall-Kontijiet Pubblici... Bondi Plus is discussing whether it is true 20,000 jobs were created and the minimum wage issue.. which all fall under zvilupp Ekonomiku... unlkess for labour this means something else, of course!
Victor Laiviera
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:48
The efforts of the PN apologists to spin this as some sort of rift between the PL and Charles Mangion are very amusing.
This matter is very simple. PBS can invite whoever likes on a personal basis. When it wants an OFFICIAL representative of any organisation, it is that organisation which decides whom to send.
That is all - no more to be said.
joseph borg st john
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:39
It seems that PL are more limited than PN.
Pat Hobson
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:26
@PN apologists defending Charles Mangion. How wrong you are! Dr. Mangion himself asked Mr. Vella to appear on TV! Mr. Karmenu Vella is the spokesman of Finances not Dr. Mangion!
George Cutajar
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:48
@ Ms. Hobson - actually I always thought that it was Prof. Edward Scicluna. Well first you had three and than there was one.
M Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 20:09
But it seems that this programme is not about finance but job creation.
Saviour Aquilina
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:25
WHY PL REFUSE TO SEND CHARLES MANGION?????????
John Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:50
Labour have humiliated their spokesman Charles Mangion by refusing to allow him to go on Bondi Plus
Frans Aguis
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:37
Would be true, if he were their spokesman...
George Cutajar
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:42
Why has the PL raised such a stink on the choice of candidates to appear on PBS programmes? One would have thought that all are star candidates who can handle the heat.
This does not seem the case or perhaps the PL intends pushing some while hiding others.
R Abela
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:06
hello?anyone there? you send your best person for the debate and frankly i find karmenu miles better then mangion.
J Busuttil
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:12
@ R.Abela
Inti bis-serjeta not when Karmenu is one of the old fold ta'zmien Mintoff.
I would tell my children see that man over there he is one of those that made his best not to give you good schooling in his time. Dear son/daughter if you want to know more go to the national library and view the papers of that time.
Maria Xuereb
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:50
@ J. Busuttil: Mela mhux fi zmien Il-Kbir Mintoff l-edukazzjoni giet obligatorja, u mexxa l-edikazzjoni l-quddiem u nehha l-injoranza li kien hawn taht il-kolonjanizmu u t-tmexxia tal-Partit Nazzjonalista. Kien il-partit tal-Labour li ghamel l-edukazzjoni obligatorja sa ma t-tfal ikollhom 14 il-sena, dan insejtu jew inti xi wihed minn dawk is-sinjuri li kont tiflah thallas biex tibghat lill-uliedek fil-kulleggi li kienu hemm ghas-sinjuri biss ghax lil fqir kienu jkeccuh il-barra? Kellkom bzonn kellkom nies b'irgulija daqs Karmenu Vella, ghax kollha f'daqqa lanqas taghmlu daqs nofu.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:37
Too bad for Lou Bondi and PBS. What will they hatch next to try to eliminate all opposition to GonziPN from national TV?
M Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:52
Can you please explain, as far as we all know Charles Mangion forms part of the opposition.
R Abela
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:07
mr borg, so what? as far as i know franco Debono is part of the PN but i don't think he will be invited anywhere soon.
Michael Seychell
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:47
R Abela Today, 18:07
"mr borg, so what? as far as i know franco Debono is part of the PN but i don't think he will be invited anywhere soon."
What a cheek comparing Dr. Mangion to Dr. Franco Debono - I feel certain that if your comment is read by Dr. Mangion he will feel humilated and insulted.
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
joseph borg st john
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:49
For sure Joseph wants to push Karmenu forward he s the only one with some experince although does not have a very good record.
George Camilleri
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:28
another well deserved slap in the face of PBS.
Malta knows you're biased, the people are not gullible anymore and you're definately not as smart as you think, since you've made the whole situation so obvious !!
M Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:50
Do you mean to say that Charles Mangion is not good enough to represent the LP ?
Can you explain in what way was PBS biased
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:16
The "slap", not all well-deserved, was delivered by the LP to Mangion.
R Axisa
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:35
M Borg - il-punt mhuwiex jekk hux tajjeb dak jew tajjeb l-iehor - il-punt kollu hu li l-PBS riedet tibdel l-affarijiet kif dejjem kienu s'issa - jigifieri tiddetta hi stess min jigi mistieden ghall-programmi - ha nikkwota x'qalet l-Awtorita' stess - The Broadcasting Authority said it saw no need to change a system that had worked well.
Carmel Zammit
Oct 2nd 2012, 18:51
@ Francis Saliba
This is what all blindfolded PN supporters like yourself cannot understand. At PL there is complete team spirit unlike Gonzipn which is splintered into God only knows how many fractions. In the meantime relax and hear what Karmenu has to say. I am sure he will address your preoccupations pretty well.
Victor Calleja
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:25
Xkiente l'agenda mohbijja tal PBS?
Tarcisio Mifsud
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:22
But how on earth has PBS become so arrogant. PBS is just forgotting that they are a national station which is subsidised by our taxes. They choose the subject and they want also to invite whom they like. They may invite the wrong person so that the representative would not be able to discuss the appropriate issues. What a face!!!!!!!!
Michael Seychell
Oct 2nd 2012, 19:11
Tarcisio - whilst I also feel that the decision by PBS was somewhaty unhortodox, it seems that you forgot that in the 1980's PBS, or rather Xandir Malta, used to start with the slogan "Bongu Malta Socjalista", the name of Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami was never mentiond on Dardir Malta.
It seems you also forgot that Xandir Malta was always guarded by armed soldiers and before going in you would have to explain what for and why you want to enter the building.
God forbid if we were to go back to those dark days again!
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
Philip Hili
Oct 3rd 2012, 09:57
@ Tarcisio Mifsud
It seems that you forgot when the PBS was a national station which was subsidised by our taxes and for paying our taxes to subsidise this National station we used to be insulted every morning by "Run Rabbit Run" or by "Bongu Malta Socjalista" or sometimes by the "Labour Anthem".
As to the participants in this program, why should the PL find it difficult since according to Dr. Emails the LP has the best, star candidates on the Island?
"They may invite the wrong person so that the representative would not be able to discuss the appropriate issues."
Are you saying that the star candidates the PL has are not able to switch from one subject to another when discussing the policies of the party? Thank you for informing us that the PL candidates are good ONLY in their field and they are not able to participate in a program where the subject is not according to their likings!
S. Attard
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:12
This case had convinced me that Dr Franco Debono is right. An advice to PL. Pay great attention to Xarabank. Selection of Party representatives should not be left at Xarabank's hands. This apploies also to programmes semi political where Pl candidates may be invited to participate.
Victor Laiviera
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:09
This was so obvious it should not even have been under discussion.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:09
logic prevailed !
John Borg
Oct 2nd 2012, 16:58
This decision really makes a lot of sense. In whose interest is the BA working? In the interests of the people or of the parties? This means that if there is a dissenting MP like Franco Debono, we will never see him on the national broadcaster because the party will never send him.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:09
I don't think it's the case ... If anyone wants to have a programme regarding Franco Debono's views on a particular subject, this can be done as long as Franco Debono does not speak in the name of his party or act as a representative of the party. Though I very doubt anyone in PBS is willing to voice his opinion on national TV... I think logic and common sense prevailed.
A representative of a particular group (organization, political party, public company etc.) can only be selected by the said group and nobody else.
Saviour Sam Agius
Oct 2nd 2012, 17:10
That is not the case at all. Franco Debono can be invited on national television in his capacity as a member of parliament, but if they want a representative of the PN to appear on the programme and speak in the name of the PN, the PN should be free to nominate whoever it likes to represent it.
There is a big difference between someone discussing his own opinions and someone who's speaking in the name of a whole organisation.
victor bonello
Oct 2nd 2012, 16:52
As Franco Debono had said in parliament PBS is a PN station not a public one.
It is clear that a party will nominate who is to speak on its behalf.
This must have burst Mr Bondi's balloon in his strive to help the PN propaganda machine.
Please choose the reason of your report below: