IThe Broadcasting Authority has refused an Alternattiva Demokratika request for the transmission of a programme on a private television station explaining its electoral programme and introducing its candidates.

Addressing a news conference this morning, AD chairman Arnold Cassola said that the respective PN and PL MEP candidates were constantly given exposure on political programmes and adverts aired constantly and continuously.

"All we asked for is the opportunity to have one or two programmes to promote the policies and campaign of our party, but incredibly and unfairly, the Broadcasting Authority... ruled that AD cannot transmit programmes promoting its issues – it requested AD to ensure that any programme it pays for on a private TV station be ‘balanced’ – that is to give exposure for free to the PN and PL both of whom have their own partisan TV stations broadcasting propaganda continuously."

Prof Cassola said: "The Boradcasting Authority is using two weights and two measures. The shameless, uncontrolled, one-sided propaganda on the PN and PL TV stations occurs nowhere in other EU countries.’ ‘Another issue which, a few weeks before the European Parliament election is still unresolved is the issue of how the sixth seat in the EP will be assigned. It is unacceptable that the rules of the game are not made public, discussed and decided yet," he said.

Prof. Cassola also accused the Electoral Commission of breaching an EU directive when it struck foreigners off the Maltese electoral register.

Candidate Yvonne Ebejer Arqueros expressed AD’s concern about the increase in unemployed and said that the market should accomodate the needs of people and families and not the other way round. ‘