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Mr Saviour Balzan criticized Xarabank for discussing ghosts during the programme aired two days after the budget. Mr. Balzan is right. So much so, that during the programme itself, and prior to Mr Balzan’s criticism, I myself stated that the programme was supposed to have been about the Budget, with all 3 party leaders present. However as Dr Alfred Sant was overseas, I stated that the Budget programme would take place one week after.
It is possible that Mr Balzan did not see the programme but still chose to comment. It is also possible that Mr Balzan did indeed see the programme but still chose to make this comment, despite the fact that it was superfluous.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind Mr Balzan that Xarabank is the only TV programme in Malta where everyone can attend, where everyone is a guest, and where everyone can express their beliefs. It is the only TV programme that has run for 8 years, giving space to citizens to discuss their issues with all 3 political leaders. This was the case just one month ago, where the Prime Minister discussed various issues with the audience.
Mr Balzan also criticizes Xarabank for its popularity. I have one thing to say: MaltaToday itself never fails to remind us about its increasing popularity.
Peppi Azzopardi
Xarabank Team
Saviour Balzan replies: I did not criticize Xarabank for its popularity. I expressed the opinion that Xarabank is a populist programme. Populist and popular are two separate things. On the issue of running for eight years on TVM, Joe Azzopardi who calls himself Peppi should add that in the last eight years no one had the opportunity to compete with his programme on State TV. We once had no pluralism, no we have a monopoly in state TV and no pluralism.
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