[WATCH] Bonnici to strive for unbiased national broadcasting

Owen Bonnici says he will strive towards PBS impartiality•Video Ray Attard

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Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, who has recently been assigned the Public Broadcasting Services portfolio in the wake of the sacking of Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia, said that he plans to make PBS more impartial.

“The Labour Party’s pre-electoral promise was for PBS to be independent and impartial as a democratic country deserves,” Bonnici said. “I will work towards that aim, to ensure that our national broadcasting service is a truly national one.”

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil recently accused PBS of “not helping the truth come out” with regards the shooting incident involving Mallia’s driver.

When asked whether he agrees with Busuttil’s criticism, Bonnici simply said that Busuttil’s treatment of the Mallia case “had a lot of shortcomings”.

He also said that he plans to give local culture a voice through PBS.

“Culture isn’t simply about orchestra concerts but about the way we express ourselves,” Bonnici said. “That should be broadcast through PBS at the highest level of quality.” 

The minister was speaking following the launch of the second part of a series of legal dictionaries written by Judge Emeritus Philip Scibberas.

“It’s a monumental achievement and will make a huge difference to legal professionals and other citizens alike,” Bonnici said of the dictionary. “Citizens aren’t interested in the legal details and jargon of cases and only want to know if their cases are justified or not. This dictionary will provide them with a detailed guide.

“I’m sure that this dictionary will still be relevant in 30 years time and that public appreciation for it will grow as time goes by.”