PN takes umbrage at PBS news coverage and Dissett panel

The Nationalist Party has today filed two new complaints against the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) on grounds of unfair coverage and media imbalance during yesterday’s TVM news bulletin and Dissett.

In a letter addressed to PBS head of news and Dissett host Reno Bugeja, the Opposition took umbrage at Bugeja’s choice of panel during Thursday’s news programme.

“Notwithstanding the political controversy surrounding the government’s proposal to build an LNG terminal, Dissett invited two experts supporting the LNG terminal and one individual against the proposal.”

“It is clear that the panel was chosen to help push forward the government’s agenda – just days before this Sunday’s political activities and MEPA’s decision on the fate of the project,” the PN argued in its first complaint.

The government’s proposal to anchor a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at Delimara has seen the government and the opposition at loggerheads. PN Leader Simon Busuttil has accused the government of prioritising politics over the residents’ health while in a tit-for-tat battle, the government is reiterating that the terminal is safe and is also accusing the Opposition of using scaremongering tactics to score political mileage.

In its second complaint, the PN also complained of the TVM news bulletins that aired on Thursday.

“During PBS’s news coverage on the vehicle VAT refunds, the news bulletin gave extensive coverage to the [transport minister] Joe Mizzi’s news conference, while on the other hand, it failed to cover the PN’s statement,” it argued.

In addition, the PN complained of the news bulletin covering yesterday’s Dissett, arguing that the report was aired in a way to “make it seem as though the majority of experts are in favour of the LNG terminal.

Moreover, the PN said the news coverage tried to stifle and ridicule the expert who spoke against the project.

The complaints are the latest that the PN has filed against PBS on grounds of media imbalance.

On 13th March, the PN protested at TVM’s news coverage on the deal between China Power Investment Corporation and the government, as well as its coverage, on Simon Busuttil’s news conference on the Labour Party’s first year in government.