One Productions was fined €1,164 by the Broadcasting Authority after airing parts of a recorded phone call with former Nationalist Party president Victor Scerri without his consent.
Dr Scerri wrote to the authority on January 26, complaining he had not agreed to have the call recorded by journalist Wendy Borg the previous day. Not only did Ms Borg not inform him the call was being recorded but, in a preceding conversation, he had clearly asked her not to, he added. Nevertheless, parts of the call were broadcast during the news bulletins on One television and radio.
The broadcasting watchdog decided that Ms Borg was obliged to inform Dr Scerri she was recording the call and should have asked for his consent to air parts of it.
Moreover, it concluded that, since Dr Scerri had clearly asked Ms Borg not to record the call, One TV and radio had to respect his wishes.
The authority's CEO, Simon Manicolo informed One Productions managing director Michael Vella Haber the fine had to be paid within two months.