PBS publishes stringent rules on impartiality for current affairs programmes, news

News co-ordinators, newscasters, directors, editors, cameramen, journalists and presenters of current affairs programmes and programmes dealing with controversial issues airing on the Public Broadcasting Services Limited media, cannot associate themselves with a political party or undermine the perception of the impartiality, integrity, independence and objectivity of PBS.

Launching the 'Guidelines on the Obligation of Due Impartiality', PBS chairman Joseph Mizzi said that while PBS had always adhered to a set of guidelines, these have been revised to become "more rigid".

"We are making them public so everyone knows where we stand," Mizzi said, while adding that the viewership of PBS's programmes has been consistently on the rise, while complaints against the station have reduced.

The guidelines will become enforcible as from 1 June.

The PBS said that news and current affairs programmes and matters of political or industrial controversy or current public policy are to be presented with accuracy and due impartiality, while programmes should offer viewers and listeners an intelligent and informed account of issues that enables them to form their own views.

PBS also argued that impartiality doesn't mean that equal time is to be provided to each view represented, but that a balanced presentation of divergent views is given.

"Journalists, presenters and producers are not expected to be neutral on every controversial issue, but care is to be taken that they do not favour one opinion as opposed to another in such a manner that gives advantage to that opinion," PBS said.

The guidelines also insist that the impartiality of PBS also depends on the activities of its employees, particularly producers, journalists and presenters of the programmes broadcast.

"External activities include letters to the editor, articles published in newspapers, online blogging, posting of remarks or opinions online, participating in public debates, fronting a campaign and similar activities where made online or not," PBS said.

Over the past year, PBS had been at the heart of a controversy sparked by Where's Everybody directors Lou Bondi and Peppi Azzopardi, after the Bondi presenter had publicly said that he sided with the Nationalist Party.

Further criticism arose after Bondi launched a short-lived blog in which he was very critical of the Labour Party and hit out at any individuals who were considered to be close to the party, or appeared on the Labour Party media.

On the other hand, Peppi Azzopardi ended in controversy after PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando had revealed that Azzopardi had coached him minutes before an electoral press conference held a couple of weeks before the 2008 general elections.

PBS editorial board chairman Joseph Pirotta said that while PBS wanted to regulate all of its employees and associates, "a difference exists between full-timers and those who offer a service".

Pirotta then added that the guidelines have been "widened to apply to all workers".

When asked whether the guidelines were the result of the recent criticism faced by PBS on lack of impartiality and political bias, Pirotta rubbished the question and said that PBS had always faced criticism since its inception in September 1962.

Pirotta also said that PBS "is not happy" when anyone associated with it pass comments which impinge on the PBS's impartiality. "When such occasions arose we always took the necessary steps," Pirotta said.

PBS CEO Anton Attard said that the guidelines will be updated accordingly.