The Nationalist Party this morning filed an official complaint against PBS for its failure to report multiple calls for Energy Ministry Konrad Mizzi’s resignation by members of the Labour Party.

On Monday, former Labour prime minister Alfred Sant called for Dr Mizzi’s resignation in the wake of the Panama papers scandal.

Education minister Evarist Bartolo echoed this call yesterday, but the PN said neither of these calls received coverage by PBS.

Addressing a press conference, PN spokesman for civil rights Clyde Puli said PBS seems to be more interested in covering the government’s tracks rather than impartial reporting.

Media coverage of internal PL squabbles over the Panama scandal had not been reported by PBS, Mr Puli said.

PN candidate Caroline Galea pointed out that the morning after the Panama Papers were published, a PBS discussion programme discussed the PN’s loan scheme rather than the scandal. 

PBS DENIES HIDING INFORMATION

In a reply, PBS denied it was hiding information to serve as a tool for the government saying its news and programmes had given the Panama Papers extensive coverage.

Executive chairman Anton Attard said the station had its own standards and editorial line based on balance and impartiality which gave it the credibility it had with spectators.

This was confirmed only yesterday with the publication of the Broadcasting Authority survey which showed that TVM news had increased its audience by 10,000 with spectators surpassing the 100,000 mark for the first time.

PBS said that as it had already done in similar situations, it would reply to the PN’s complaint with the Broadcasting Authority.