A Xarabank debate between the deputy leaders of the two main political parties was held yesterday, a day after Franco Debono’s surprise move to gatecrash Friday night’s programme as Labour’s representative sparked a political storm.
Labour had no right to give up its airtime to Franco Debono- BA
The debate saw deputy leaders Simon Busuttil and Anġlu Farrugia face off on television for the first time since the MEP was elected to the PN’s hierarchy last month.
Friday’s debate was cancelled after Dr Debono, an MP who voted with the Opposition to defeat the Budget, convinced Labour to give him their slot.
The controversial move triggered off a strong reaction from the public amid harsh criticism from Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday.
“These theatrics are typically Labour. Yesterday we saw Socialist Labour in its worst form,” he said during an interview on PN station Radio 101.
“I’m proud of having Simon Busuttil as my deputy leader but Joseph Muscat is ashamed of Anġlu Farrugia,” he added, pointing out this was the third time Dr Farrugia failed to attend a debate with Dr Busuttil.
He said Labour was afraid of having a civil debate where ideas and policies were exchanged because while the PN had results, Labour had no answers.
The debate also drew criticism from several political analysts.
Labour yesterday agreed to send Dr Farrugia to the debate with Peppi Azzopardi as moderator, despite earlier requests to have the Xarabank presenter replaced by someone acceptable to both parties. Labour initially suggested three names: Andrew Azzopardi, Malta Today managing editor Saviour Balzan and Godfrey Grima.
The Broadcasting Authority condemned Friday’s episode and said Labour had no right to give up its airtime to Dr Debono.
The broadcasting watchdog referred to an agreement reached some weeks ago whereby political parties were guaranteed the right to nominate their own representatives to shows on the national broadcaster.
This did not include the right to send somebody who did not actually represent the party.
“In the absence of Labour’s deputy leader, PBS had every right by law to have a programme with only Simon Busuttil,” the BA said.
However, the BA also criticised PBS for replacing Xarabank with an overly long explanation of what happened, “where only one version could be heard”.
Even One TV and Net TV were criticised for failing to deliver the appropriate service to their viewers when discussing this matter. The BA said it would not tolerate such behaviour again.
Asked by The Sunday Times whether the Labour Party was planning to field Dr Debono as a general election candidate, a spokesman for the party said that was “absolutely not on the cards”.
On whether the PL intended to take Xarabank off air if it wins the election, the spokesman said: “No. There are procedures which govern the choice of programmes and a new government will not intrude. Our vision for PBS is to be open, fair and give a level-playing field.”
The PL said it was clear that PBS was trying to render ‘irrelevant’ a main protagonist in the Government’s downfall, as it dismissed suggestions its stunt had backfired.
“Dr Debono was representing himself and was never sent by Labour to represent it, as the Broadcasting Authority ruling shows,” a PL spokesman said.
Was Labour embarrassed to field Anġlu Farrugia?
“Labour would be embarrassed with ministers such as Austin Gatt, George Pullicino and their ilk, who promised a lot and delivered very little. Anġlu Farrugia is loyal to the people of Malta, has served and will serve selflessly if Labour is elected.”