BA reject PN’s media imbalance and unfair coverage complaints

The Broadcasting Authority (BA) has rejected two complaints filed by the Nationalist Party over alleged media imbalance and unfair coverage during TVM’s news bulletin and Dissett panel.

In its complaints on 20th March, the PN had taken umbrage at Reno Bugeja’s choice of panel during the discussion pertaining to the LNG terminal, and further claimed that the Dissett panel sought to push forward the government’s agenda on the LNG terminal.

In a letter addressed to PBS head of news Reno Bugeja, the PN had argued that the choice of panel constituted imbalance because two of the three experts chosen were in favour of the terminal. Despite the programme including recorded comments of PN executive president Ann Fenech, the PN also claimed that notwithstanding this intervention, there was still media imbalance because there were “people who were directly interested in the proposed project and no one represting the opposition.”

In addition, the PN complained of unfair coverage during the subsequent TVM news bulletin, claiming that it was aired in a way to “make it seem as though the majority of experts were in favour of the LNG terminal,” and that it tried to “stifle and ridicule the expert who spoke against the project.”

Broadcasting Authority reject complaints of unfair coverage during TVM news bulletin

In response to the complaints, TVM rebutted the PN’s complaint and insisted that the news coverage was only reporting what had occurred during the programme, and claimed that there was no intention of creating any media imbalance. On the choice of the panel, TVM argued that the experts only represented scientific and technical arguments, and not opinions. It also said that just like the Labour Party and the AD, the Opposition was likewise given the same platform to voice their stand through Ann Fenech’s intervention.

On its part, the Broadcasting Authority dismissed the PN’s complaints, claiming that it found no reasonable ground to accept the complaints of media imbalance. Furthermore, it argud that the three parties were given the same platform to voice their stands and the experts chosen  spoke from a scientific and technical point of view.

The Broadcasting Authority also rejected another complaint pertaining to the same TVM news bulletin on March 20, in which the PN complained that PBS gave extensive coverage to Transport Minister Joe Mizzi’s conference on the VAT refund scheme, and failed to cover PN’s subsequent statement.

“While the news bulletin covered Joe Mizzi’s conference and on tape comments, if failed to find any time for the PN’s subsequent reaction. This obviously had news value because it pertained to Joe Mizzi’s comments,” the PN said in its complaint of unfair coverage.

Rebutting the PN's complaint, TVM claimed that the PN’s statement had repeated several issues that had already been published and aired during an earlier bulletin. Moreover, TVM also argued that the the law does not request it to request a reaction from the opposition whenever a minister spoke.

TVM also claimed that the minister’s conference did not warrant a response and the statement was not related – a stand supported by the Broadcasting Authority which claimed that the reporting was correct and did not consitute unfair coverage or imbalance.  Agreeing with TVM’s response, the BA consequently, dismissed the PN’s complaint.