.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Updated | BA issues warnings to Net TV and One TV
The Broadcasting Authority issues warnings to the two political television stations for airing images and comments in relation to local elections.
10 March 2012, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
1 min read
BA directives stipulate that political leaders can only be shown on TV if they cast their vote as did Joseph Muscat this morning in Burmarrad. (Photo: Ray Attard/MediaToday)
The Broadcasting Authority (BA) has issued warnings to Net TV and One TV for violating the authority's directives in regards to local council elections.
A BA spokesperson told MaltaToday that the two television stations received letters today informing them that they must respect the authority's directives on local elections.
Net TV broadcast images of the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi touring polling stations and shaking hands with supporters and candidates. The BA informed Net TV's media manager Louiselle Vassallo that such images violate the authority's directive which stipulates that political leaders can only be filmed whilst voting.
In its letter the authority warned Net TV that it had not taken any action despite previous warnings which were sent to PN secretery general Paul Borg Olivier and Net TV's news manager Nathaniel Attard. Since the station did not stop airing the footage, the authority informed the electoral commission about the matter and only then did Net TV comply with the BA's directive.
Since, Lawrence Gonzi did not cast his vote as elections were not held in Marsascala, his hometown, no images of his can be broadcast of him touring polling stations. The letter clearly says that Net TV should stop showing such images with immediate effect.
On the other hand, One TV was also admonished for airing comments by the Opposition leader Joseph Muscat who cast his vote in Burmarrad. The BA spokesperson said that the directives specify that no comments by political leaders in regards to local elections can be broadcast until polling stations are open. Unlike Net TV, the station stopped airing Muscat's comments and no further action was required.
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
Luke Camilleri •
@Rombus
So we can only watch the Regim's voice only - TVM 1 and now TVM2 and just get praise and excuses for incompetencies?
We can do away with NET, PBS does a good job at gonziOPM and GonziPn coverage!
•
Why do people watch these two stations? Allowing the parties to have a TV and a radio station was the biggest mistake ever. I very rarely watch them as I do not enjoy puking. This is Maltese politics. The government and opposition boast of all the regulatory authorities which are there to supposedly control what they are responsible for and then they themselves ignore the rules. Veru pajjiz tal- mickey mouse.
•
Why do people watch these two stations? Allowing the parties to have a TV and a radio station was the biggest mistake ever. I very rarely watch them as I do not enjoy puking. This is Maltese politics. The government and opposition boast of all the regulatory authorities which are there to supposedly control what they are responsible for and then they themselves ignore the rules. Veru pajjiz tal- mickey mouse.
