A television advert by a far-right group that linked migrants with disease and criminality yesterday elicited widespread condemnation, including the government’s, as the Broadcasting Authority was criticised for initially sanctioning the spot.

The public outcry forced the BA to rethink its decision and last night it issued a statement saying it had ordered Imperium Europa, which produced the spot, to withdraw it and to substitute it.

The BA said it had become aware of the negative reaction on the media “and it is now becoming evident that through an association of ideas the spot is creating a situation which could lead to incitement and racial hatred.

“This association of ideas was not initially manifest but has now become apparent to the authority in the light of the reaction on the public media.”

Among those reacting had been the government. The Prime Minister’s spokesman had said it condemned without reservation the political broadcast, which sent out “a xenophobic message... Messages like these are not acceptable in a democratic society”.

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality had also denounced the spot, as it fuelled discrimination towards migrants, while a human rights NGO had called on the police to investigate its “illegal” content.

Complete with an apocalyptic soundtrack and sensational pictures, the advert by Imperium Europa was aired on the national TV station as the European elections draw closer.

The spot claimed that irregular migration has led to devaluation of property, criminality, infectious diseases and squandering of “our taxes”.

It asked viewers to reflect on their children’s future and urged them to choose between the party and the country and to vote for Imperium Europa if they were against irregular immigration.

The video ended with the statement Viva Malta. Viva Ġensna (race) and a poster stating that the party was the only movement that promised repatriation and push-backs.

Electoral manifesto spots are vetted by the BA, which then instructs the Public Broadcasting Service to air them.

Speaking before the BA’s latest instruction, head of news Reno Bugeja said PBS, as an operator, could not act as a regulator of the regulator. The station had no control of these spots and it could not have stopped the authority from airing them.

“It is rubbish we’ve become accustomed to, but the Broadcasting Authority has a responsibility.

“We feel they’ve let themselves down and consequently let the Maltese population down. After the advert was aired, Integra Foundation director Maria Pisani said: “We expect better.”

She said the spot reflected “the tripe we’ve become accustomed to with Imperium Europa”, adding that the movement’s approach was one of spreading untruth, fear and hatred.

But her key concern remained the Broadcasting Authority. The BA needed to ensure the information it provided was accurate and did not spew any form of social exclusion, Ms Pisani said.

“If we were to switch the word ‘immigrant’ with Roman Catholic, and listen to it again we would have massive problems with it,” she added.

This is the tripe we’ve become accustomed to with Imperium Europa

Aditus director Neil Falzon also expressed concern. The right to freedom of expression carried with it a degree of responsibility, particularly when this freedom was based on incorrect information, offended the dignity of other people and infringed on the rights of others, he said.

He urged the police to investigate, adding it was incumbent on the BA and all media agencies to ensure that all published material was appropriately vetted to ensure that no doubt existed as to their conformity with the law.

“We believe that anything short of rigorous vetting could result in these agencies incurring criminal responsibility for the publication thereof,” Dr Falzon added.

The Broadcasting Authority’s reversal of its initial position may also have been spurred by the concerns relayed to it by the government, which said it had done so while respecting the BA’s autonomy as a constitutional authority.

NCPE had earlier also expressed its disapproval about the spot, which generated a heated discussion on social media.

“NCPE is seriously concerned that such messages heighten the prevailing situation of discrimination towards migrants departing from Africa.

“These messages propagate perceptions based on unfounded fears, misconceptions and prejudices.  In fact, such messages may also be directed at other groups within society that are covered by NCPE’s remit.”

The commission condemned “any propaganda, any other action or potentially non-action that denigrates or allows disparagement on a person on grounds of race/ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion/ belief and gender identity”.

In 2010, the BA had taken action over “offensive” and “insensitive” parts of an interview with Imperium Europa leader Norman Lowell on Bondiplus, fining PBS €1,164.

Michael Zammit Maempel, a lawyer specialised in communications and media, said the clip may be criticised on several points but he did not believe it breached the law.

“Even though its message may ultimately be an intolerant one, it is neither libellous/defamatory, nor does it cross any line towards inciting racial hatred or violence,” Dr Zammit Maempel noted.

It set out a series of “facts”, claiming that voting for Imperium Europa should follow as a consequence. Although most would agree it was based on principles of intolerance, and it appealed to base primal fears, the only course of action it recommended was that of voting for the party, the lawyer said.