PN gearing up for general elections: candidates barred from hosting shows

Confirmed candidates for the next general elections have been barred by the Nationalist Party from presenting or hosting TV and radio shows on the party media

David Agius hosts a show on private TV station Smash but insists his greatest asset are his legs, which take him from door to door
David Agius hosts a show on private TV station Smash but insists his greatest asset are his legs, which take him from door to door

Confirmed candidates for the next general elections have been barred by the Nationalist Party from presenting or hosting TV and radio shows on the party media, in a move that confirms the PN is already gearing up for the elections, which have to be held in 2018 at the latest.

The PN has been approving its candidates for the elections since 2014, a year after the Labour Party was elected to power with a resounding majority. Now, the party administration has issued a directive ordering approved candidates to stop presenting or hosting TV or radio shows on Net TV and Radio 101.

The decision was taken a year ago, with candidates informed that their programmes would be stopped after September 2016, a move which was described to the candidates as one that offers “a level playing field” to all candidates.

“The administration of the party has decided that all candidates for the next general election are to stop presenting programmes on its media, during the period prior to the general election,” a spokesperson for the PN told MaltaToday.

Although the election could be held as late as June 2018, the spokesperson said: “The decision will be implemented as from the next winter schedule.”

Among those affected by this decision are party whip David Agius, lawyer and PN councillor Matthew Paris, lawyer Alessia Psaila Zammit, news anchor Graziella Schembri and radio host David Thake.

Agius confirmed with MaltaToday that such a decision is taken before every general election, although he didn’t confirm whether it usually happened so early in the day. He did however confirm that the decision was taken a year ago.

“It is a longstanding decision of the party,” Agius said.

But while the candidates will not be able to host programmes on their party media, they are still allowed to have their own programmes on other media stations or digital platforms.

Agius himself has a programme on Smash TV. Asked whether this would still put other candidates at a disadvantage, Agius argued that his ‘weapon’ were his “legs”.

“I have no one in politics … I am neither a lawyer nor a doctor. But I walk and I knock on doors because ultimately it’s all about the people and getting the message across,” he said. 

David Thake will take his popular show to the digital platform as he attempts to win a seat in Parliament
David Thake will take his popular show to the digital platform as he attempts to win a seat in Parliament

Thake, whose afternoon radio programme ‘Taghna Lkoll’ was extremely popular with Radio 101 listeners, said he respected the decision taken by the party’s administration.

“I am not privy to the information that led the administration to take such a decision so I cannot comment about it,” he said. He however added that he understood why the party would want to offer a level playing field, as the available slots on the party media were limited.

“I personally agree with it… one might question whether such a decision was taken too early or too late, but ultimately such decisions are never easy ones.”

Switching to the digital platform, Thake will keep his radio show alive.

“My responsibility as a candidate is to deliver the message of the party with all available media. Every candidate should see what the guidelines are and study ways to bring out his or her best potential,” he said.

Psaila Zammit is contesting the general elections for the first time on a PN ticket, having been active in the PN media for the last 10 years.

“Now I start a new chapter, having been asked by the PN leader to contest the general election on the 6th electoral district,” Psaila Zammit said when contacted for a comment. 

She said that the PN’s decision was taken at its highest levels, and, as such, she would abide by it.

“As a general election candidate, my priority now is to be close to my constituents on a daily basis – through house visits and meetings. I look forward to this experience as I acknowledge the importance for the PN to be closer to the people,” she said.