The Broadcasting Authority is watching closely the development at the newsroom of the state public broadcaster as the news editor is getting ready to get out of Television House, leaving PBS without a newsroom head in the crucial run-up to the general election.
Sylvana Cristina’s resignation becomes effective on 10 February but PBS sources say nobody has been earmarked or approached to replace her, despite the station’s knowledge of her departure long ago, at a time when three new journalists have just joined the station.
The BA’s chief executive said yesterday night the development at PBS will be “closely watched”.
“We’re obviously interested in who will be taking over her role,” said Kevin Aquilina. “I would assume someone will take over temporarily until she is replaced with a permanent appointment, but it’s too early in the day to comment.”
Before Cristina’s appointment, editorial responsibility fell to then chief executive Andrew Psaila, who has been named again in the press as a possible contender, although PBS sources rule out that he would be interested.
Current chief executive Albert Debono is most likely to take Cristina’s role until she is replaced – although the possibility sends shivers down the PBS editorial board which has been at loggerheads with the PBS chairman and directors over several editorial decisions.
Last November, Cristina said the investments ministry had ordered “an imposed media blackout” on her that banned her from speaking to the press unless she gets the PBS chairman’s permission first – a condition that applies to all appointees falling under Austin Gatt’s portfolio.