According to the PN machinery I have committed such a horrendous mortal sin that I should be excommunicated, and never express my opinion on political issues – failing which I will never qualify to be a genuine candidate for any public post or function.
My mortal sin emanated from my participation in a discussion programme on the budget where I analysed Alfred Sant’s speech and commented on proposals the MLP was bringing forward for the consideration of the electorate. The PN machinery condemned me in style, but they did not comment on the participation of another Malta Broadcasting Authority (MBA) colleague on the PN’s TV station, who had every right to see the positives of this year’s budget. My colleague had every right to his freedom of expression and courageously did not mince his words when contacted by Maltastar.com. I appreciated his comments and affirm his declaration that freedom of expression is sacred.
But the way the PN machinery behaves makes one believe that freedom of speech is limited to pro-Nationalists alone. If you sound a different opinion you are bound to be indicted and condemned for eternity.
I have a feeling that the PN’s statement against me was the work of outsiders who felt threatened by an MBA decision. The MBA was unjustly criticised for exercising its obligations to safeguard impartiality and political balance on public broadcasting. The Broadcasting Authority took its decision in the most professional manner after seeking independent legal advice on the issue. As a regulator the MBA should expect criticism for its decisions but criticism should be constructive and motivated.
When I accepted to serve for my third consecutive term as a board member, I knew that I had to endure criticism. I assure my critics that even the most destructive criticism will in no way affect my performance as a board member. After so many years in touch with the local political scene, I have adopted a thick skin which makes me immune even to the worst kind of attacks. The best cure is to consider and adopt ideas coming from genuine criticism and ignore unjust accusations. The PN’s statement made me appreciate who my real friends are. When I went to the law courts the following morning I found a lot of support from members of the general public and many Labour and Nationalist colleagues who told me: ignore them, they do not know what they are saying.
Unjust criticism was also levelled at the MBA, which is one of the oldest Constitutional bodies in the country. This is not the only instance when the PN attacked legally constituted bodies and institutions which do not play to their tune.
I have noticed that certain MBA critics either show a complete lack of understanding of the MBA operations and functions or they have a vested interest in distorting them. The MBA is not only composed of five members but is supported by a group of professional employees and a highly qualified and dedicated Chief Executive. In the absolute majority of cases, the members do not instigate investigations and rulings. The monitoring department alerts the board on possible infringements of the Constitution or the Broadcasting Act and the various guidelines and codes. Charges are issued by the Chief Executive acting on reports compiled by the monitoring department. Some charges are accepted by the board while others are rejected. The majority of decisions are taken by consensus while others are taken by a majority vote in accordance with basic democratic principles. The board also discusses complaints by political parties, organisations and private individuals.
The MBA only deals with stations and does not have a juridical relationship with individual producers or production houses. For the Authority, it is the broadcasting station which has to answer to any infringement of the law and if there is a fine to be paid, it is the station which has to pay it. The Authority is not interested in the contractual arrangements concluded between producers and broadcasting stations and when it issues a directive it is addressed to the station.
As members of the Authority we are guided by the Constitution, the Broadcasting Act and the various guidelines and codes drafted over the years by the same Authority. We are also helped to a great extent by Court judgements which interpret the law and throw light on moot points. A recent important judgement by Judge Anna Felice vindicated the Authority’s rules on the duties and rights of journalists to make use of hidden cameras if such practice is in the public interest.
Unfortunately, the Authority’s work has been tarnished by unjust criticism by those who have a vested interest in establishing a pronounced role in the programme schedule of state television.
The Constitution stipulates that in its functions, the Authority shall not be subject “to the direction or control of any person or authority” and any attempt to intimidate the Authority or its members is to say the least illegal.
To conclude, I pledge my loyalty to the Maltese people and I am determined to continue to perform my duty as a member of the MBA in the same detached and professional way as I have been doing for the last eight years.

On a different note, I would like to show my appreciation for the sterling work conducted by Wirt Artna on Bieb is-Sultan. Very often we tend to ignore the efforts made by NGOs and the only way to demonstrate our appreciation for their hard work is to visit these sites. I did not know that Bieb is-Sultan offers to visitors such a fantastic panoramic view of the island. There are so many other historical sites that need renovation, that it is high time that foreign aid is tapped in to bring back to life the remnants of history. Wirt Artna and other organisations concerned with the preservation of our heritage should be lauded for their efforts. They deserve some more mention in the press.