PBS corrects misinformation on Dalli candidature

The Public Broadcasting Services last night was asked to correct a misleading news item that claimed EU Commissioner John Dalli would not be contesting in a general election.

TVM news last night stated in its 8 o'clock bulletin that Dalli, who yesterday was in Malta to give a run-down of his commission's activities in 2011, would not be contesting a general election if it was called. However, the station later corrected its misinformation.

A Dalli aide told MaltaToday that PBS had got its information wrong and that the Commissioner never stated he would run for office. As a result the station immediately corrected itself during a transmission of the news bulletin held later in the evening.

"I am not stating that Dalli is contesting the election but I'm not indicating that he isn't either," the spokesman said.

"Dalli will make an announcement on his decision when the time is right. Any assumptions at this stage would be superfluous," the spokesman added.

PBS also stated that Dalli said his present intention was that of remaining European Commissioner and help achieve the goals of the Commission he was entrusted to reach.

Yesterday Dalli also denounced the "campaign of lies and rumours" which were alleging he had links with Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono.

He also denied rumours floated on the social media that he had met Debono in Rome last December when the backbencher was threatening to withdraw his support from the government.