Franco Debono files two complaints against PBS

Nationalist MP Franco Debono has filed two complaints with the Broadcasting Authority over the way he was treated by the Public Broadcasting Authority and production house Where's Everybody in recent months.

"I will not stop here. I expect persons at PBS to resign over the state of affairs at the national broadcaster," Debono said as he explained that he was unhappy at the way the national broadcaster was being run.

The dissenting MP explained that he filed the complaints in the wake of PBS's failure to invite him to discuss the reasons why he voted against the 2013 Budget, the way he was treated on Monday's edition of TVHemm and Where's Everybody's failure to air his right of reply to PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil's comments on the MP in a "fair and just way."

"My two complaints are three pronged," Debono said in comments he gave to MaltaToday. He added that the complaints have nothing to do with last Friday's postponement of Xarabank in which the Labour Party offered him the opportunity to appear on the talk show instead of its former deputy leader Anglu Farrugia.

"I have today filed two complaints for three reasons. Firstly I filed a complaint over the failure of PBS to give me space to explain why I voted against the Budget for the past six months. To make matters worse, I was then invited to appear on Monday's TVHemm on the premise that the discussion will be centred on the Budget vote and why I voted against."

However, the show's host Norman Vella decided to focus on irrelevant issues such as tenor Joseph Calleja's comments on the MP and did not give him time to answer the questions posed in a proper manner, Debono pointed out.

Following Monday's chaotic programme, Debono said that he expects to be given time to explain his position on the same programme. Asked whether he would accept to be interviewed by the same host, Debono said that he doesn't mind as long as he is treated fairly. However, the combative MP warned that if things unfold in the same fashion he will file another complaint.

"Secondly, I filed another complaint over Where's Everybody's failure to provide fair and just space to air a right of reply over Simon Busuttil's comments on my actions," Debono said.

On Saturday, when the debate between the new PN deputy leader and former Labour leader Anglu Farrugia finally took place, Busuttil said that Debono had "crossed the line" when he disobeyed the party whip.

Debono explained that following a request to have his right of reply aired, Where's Evertybody asked him to sent the reply in writing. "This is unacceptable. The accusers are given all the time in the world while the accused is not given any airtime at all. This is unjust and unfair and I expect the Broadcasting Authority to act on this."