The Broadcasting Authority wants to approve what programmes and adverts on divorce, marriage and the family will be broadcast on all television and radio stations in the run-up to the divorce referendum.

According to a directive issued yesterday, all stations have until April 7 to submit a detailed schedule of programmes and adverts dealing with divorce and related issues for the period April 11 to May 28.

The authority is asking station managers to produce a list of programmes, topics, guests and presenters for approval. Stations will not be able to change their schedule unless they seek prior approval from the authority during the period.

The directive reminded broadcasters of their obligation to respect impartiality when dealing with any aspect of a political or industrial controversy or current public policy.

However, the authority also went a step further by underlining the “absolute requisite” that any programmes dealing with divorce, marriage, the family and related topics should be “rigorously balanced in the views and opinions they present”.

As is normal, broadcasting stations will not be able to transmit anything related to divorce or the referendum on the day of voting and the day before, which is considered to be a day of reflection.

The authority also reminded broadcasting stations of subsidiary legislation published in 2007 that regulated the publication of polls and surveys.

The legislation prohibits stations from broadcasting any surveys or phone-in polls from the Monday immediately preceding polling day until the close of the polling booths.

The directives were issued on the same day that representatives of the pro- and anti-divorce movements held talks with the authority over a BA-sponsored schedule of programmes.

Malta is heading for a divorce referendum on May 28.