The Opposition is insisting that the controversial New Year broadcast by the Prime Minister was a form of political advert which is prohibited unless part of a Broadcasting Authority schedule, and it  is requesting a remedy from the broadcasting watchdog.

PBS refuted such claims but has urged the BA to issue clear guidelines on such broadcasts especially the format, which this year moved away from the traditional fireplace with a slick video production in a kitchen.

The arguments were made this afternoon before the recently appointed Broadcasting Authority board under the chairmanship of Tanya Borg Cardona.

Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech, who represented the PN, listed a series of topics mentioned by the Prime Minister, which he said constituted political controversy. These included positive economic indicators, the American University of Malta, the issuing of visas, the new power station, the Gozo Hospital project and the fight against corruption.

Dr Zammit Dimech insisted that viewers should have been given the other political angles on each of these controversial topics.

Lawyer Mark Vassallo, who appeared for PBS, argued that the message was within the parameters of the law, but nevertheless called on the Authority to issue clear guidelines even on the type of filming and editing allowed. He also acknowledged that the message contained some play acting.

He pointed out that in his last New Year message in 2012, former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi too had made reference to certain controversial issues like positive economic indicators and success in job creation. He argued that it was perfectly legitimate and unavoidable to make political comments when talking on the plans for the year ahead.

The Authority will be taking a decision in the near future.