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Kurt Sansone
Television stations would be pleased to be without the Broadcasting Authority breathing down their necks monitoring each and every second of programming to determine whether advertising limits have been breached, or whether political balance on the national broadcaster has been maintained to the minute.
And their prayers may have been heard, at least temporarily. For almost a month the Authority, a Constitutional body, has ceased to function executively since the term of office of its board members including the chairman expired on 31 March.
Contacted by MaltaToday the BA’s outgoing chairman, former chief justice Joseph Said Pullicino said he was not approached by the Prime Minister. “The term has expired and that’s it,” he told this newspaper.
Asked if he would accept a second term in office if it was offered, Said Pullicino said he would only answer that question when and if it is asked by the Prime Minister.
Since it has a chief executive officer the BA’s administrative functions continue but no decisions can be taken and board members have not met since March.
The BA’s board members are appointed by the President on advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. In concrete terms it means the Nationalist Government selects two board members of its liking and a chairman and the Opposition selects another two members sympathetic to its cause.
The current board composed of Joseph Said Pullicino as chairman, Joseph Pace Asciak, Antoine Ellul, Reno Borg and Rose Sciberras as members was constituted on 28 March 2002 for a three year term, which expired on 31 March.
During this term the BA had to oversee the heated debate on EU membership which led up to the referendum and general election of 2003.
It is doubtful whether Said Pullicino will be reinstated for a second term as was the case with his predecessor Joe Pirotta since the Chief Justice was not one to tow Government’s line.
Prior to the referendum Said Pullicino, in a purely legalistic manner upheld the Labour Party’s complaints that audiovisual information slots carried on TVM by the Malta-EU Information Centre constituted imbalance.
The decision did not go down all too well in Government quarters at a time when Government was trying hard to convince the electorate EU membership was the better option.
The new board, when it is constituted, will probably be responsible for overseeing the run up to the next general election which at the latest will be held in 2008.
kurt@newsworksltd.com
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