The palpable bad vibrations did nothing to alleviate the bleak atmosphere in the black-clad Studio One at Television House last Thursday.

The topic under discussion (in a manner of speaking) was the PSO (Public Service Obligations) issue with reference to local broadcasting, and the bits and bobs that come along with it.

Prof. Joe Pirotta, chairman of the editorial board, did an excellent job explaining it to us all in words of one syllable. However, I was disappointed that the floor had more to say in private than when question time was thrown open. In fact, as usually happens while the credits are rolling after televised discussions, the more interesting points were brought up either sotto voce while the panel was explaining the issues involved, or afterwards. And not over coffee either.

The station of the nation - and incidentally the station of the year too - has an obligation way above that of what Prof. Pirotta described as "commercial" (but I would add "political") stations, to provide not only the best, but also the widest choice of programmes on air.

Again, Radju Malta was treated as the ugly sister of television; of the 'radio' people I recognised at this meeting, not one of them had anything to say.

Be that as it may, Prof. Pirotta said that equal treatment is given to all from the time the demos and proposals are handed in for evaluation purposes. Production houses complain that they have to cut it fine because of time constraints - but four weeks is 'policy'. Well then, does it need parliament to change this policy? Is it time to change other things that have to do with broadcasting, for all that?

Gerry Scotti would probably find himself thrown out on his ear if he tried to work in Malta, for obvious reasons.

Locally we look forward to December, when advertising, tele-shopping and sponsorship regulations are to be given a thorough overhaul, with a nod towards product placement and subliminal advertising being included in the new policy.

We have already seen how much better things are, now that PBS falls under one ministry, rather than being made to sit upon a fence and fall between two stools.

Sometimes, after the first batch of programmes passes the initial phases, there could be suggestions for 'tweaking' others - given enough room in the schedule. The criteria are presentation, originality and inherent quality of footage and sound, as well as the presenter who has to carry the programme and also serve as a role model for viewers, inclusive of how one treats the vernacular.

Dick Valentine, played by Richard Belzer, was a fictional call-in radio talk-show host who conversed with himself and other comics in different voices. The idea was to milk each situation, real or imaginary, for every drop of humour possible. Some of the skits, from The National Lampoon Radio Hour (1973-1975), are available on vintage LPs.

Then there is the Phil Hendrie Show, which is syndicated throughout North America on Talk Radio Network. There are calls from offensive guests, some of whom, as may be expected, are Mr Hendrie himself in altered states.

It is a pity that the closest we can get to this locally is clips of presenters who get calls from airheads. I received the same clip of you-know-who from six different sources. And I didn't think it was funny the first time I saw it.

Would such a show, without going the way of TeleTubi, make it under the 'innovative' umbrella of the PSO I wonder?

Ray Calleja has revolutionised afternoon television viewing, at least on PBS. He is an asset to the station of the nation. In fact, I have several friends who used to swear they would never be caught dead in front of the 'box', who nowadays make it a point never to be anywhere else on a Friday afternoon, to watch this section of 1205, now colloquially known as Street Talk.

This week, they asked me to 'say something' about an incongruity that occurred in this week's show. Throughout the previous days, the topic slated for discussion had been "ought sex education to begin at home or at school?", but somehow it was transmuted to something totally insipid.

The mind boggles as to what could have caused the turnaround. It was unfair on all the viewers who habitually tune in to this section, as well as to the panel guests who must have juggled their other commitments to accept the invitation of one of Malta's most brilliant broadcasters. It was also unfair to Mr Calleja and those who normally participate in the SMS section of the slot.

Radju Malta is currently running an advertisement for Pineapple Boutique. We all remember the fuss that was made when Malta was about to switch to the euro, about whether the word ought to have (a) a plural form and (b) a vernacular spelling and pronunciation.

Now what is totally bizarre in this blurb is that we get to hear the word pronounced as "ewros" in the first part of the advertisement, and this is later dropped for a different way of announcing prices.

I know that some advertisers expect their copy to be read verbatim. However, I have contacted several firms, at different times, with edited copies of their bumphs and some of them thanked me and changed them.

I ask: is it remotely possible that the person doing the voiceover, who usually prides himself on his expertise to the extent of penning lyrics for songs in the vernacular, commented upon this and was ignored?

television@timesofmalta.com