Media Release 20/13
Complaint by PN vs PBS on lack of reporting of Hon. Min. Prof. Edward Scicluna’s speech in Brussels and of the press release issued by the PN in the main news bulletin of TVM
The Broadcasting Authority was today scheduled to discuss the complaint filed by the PN on 11th December 2013 against PBS regarding the alleged lack of reporting of the speech made by Minister Edward Scicluna in Brussels on 5th December and of the press release issued by the PN on this matter.
This morning, at 8:30a.m., the Authority was informed that Mr Reno Bugeja, Head of News at PBS, was indisposed and a deferment for the hearing of this case was sought.
The policy, followed for a number of years by the Broadcasting Authority with all political parties and broadcasting stations, has always been that of accepting valid requests for deferment so that the right to a fair hearing is preserved. In this case, the submission of Mr Reno Bugeja as Head of News of PBS Ltd. is considered vital so that the Authority can deliver a fair and just ruling.
If the Authority had not accepted this request for deferment, it would not only have been in breach of the law and the right to a fair hearing, but it would possibly have rendered itself liable to judicial proceedings.
In line with similar cases in the past, both the complainant (PN) and the station (PBS) were informed of the postponement of the sitting. Such notification reached both parties by 10.30a.m.
The Authority has already scheduled the hearing of this complaint for this Thursday, 19th December and both parties have been informed accordingly.
Mario Axiak 17th December 2013
Head Research and Communications Ref 85/13