The broadcasting watchdog’s CEO has stepped down after seven years in office.

Contacted yesterday, Pierre Cassar said he submitted his resignation to the Broadcasting Authority’s chairman, Tanya Borg Cardona, earlier this week.

“I’ve decided to move on to new pastures. I’ve been considering this decision for quite some time and, finally, I have decided to call it a day,” Mr Cassar said.

Asked whether his resignation was related to any differences with the chairman, who was appointed earlier this year, Mr Cassar did not comment.

“I prefer not to comment on internal affairs,” he said curtly.

I’ve decided to move on to new pastures

However, sources close to the Broadcasting Authority said the outgoing CEO was “not very comfortable with the new chairwoman”, especially due to certain decisions taken by Ms Borg Cardona.

One such instance was a week-long visit to Sweden in connection with the Eurovision Song Festival final. The sources said Mr Cassar had unsuccessfully advised Ms Borg Cardona such a thing was ‘not on’.

The Times of Malta was informed that none of the board members were aware that Ms Borg Cardona would be travelling to Sweden, a trip that cost the Broadcasting Authority €3,500. None of the previous chairmen had attended the Eurovision Song Festival final on behalf of the constitutional authority.

The Opposition, which according to the Constitution has to be consulted prior to the appointment of the broadcasting watchdog chairman, had accepted Ms Borg Cardona’s nomination but publicly expressed its reservations on her lack of experience in the field.

The two members representing the Labour Party on the board, Reno Borg and Rose Sciberras, resigned about two months ago. They both insisted their resignation was not due to any clashes with Ms Borg Cardona. They were substituted by former L-Orizzont editor Frans Ghirxi and lawyer Alessandro Lia.