[WATCH] PN criticises PBS for ‘hidden agenda’

Nationalist MP Clyde Puli says that PBS has become the 'government's weapon' as it omits news stories that might paint it in a negative light

Nationalist Party spokesperson for Communication and Consumer Rights Clyde Puli said that the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) was being controlled by individuals who have a personal agenda to promote the Labour Party in Government.

“PBS chose to censor Labour MP Marlene Farrugia, who spoke out against the Government’s plans to build the American University of Malta at Zonqor point in Marsascala, an out-of development-zone,” Puli said pointing out that independent media, including MaltaToday and Times of Malta, had all reported the matter extensively. The latter was the latest in a series of events that had led PN to criticise PBS for its refusal to cover certain news items.

“This is a clear sign that PBS has now become the government’s weapon,” he explained at a press conference earlier today.

Puli reiterated that Farrugia had made some comments about the government, both in reference to the ODZ site and in general, about the way the Labour Party is running the country.

Referring to Farrugia’s comments on the Labour leadership, Puli said that the government was acting as a result of the various duties it has undertaken and that it was working to serve the financially well off rather than families who were hard-up.

Puli also questioned why PBS had not reported the Office of The Prime Minister spokesman Kurt Farrugia’s comments about PN leader Simon Busuttil.

“It is now common knowledge that Farrugia and PBS head of news Reno Bugeja are continuously in contact,” Puli alleged, questioning why Bugeja refused to report his comments in this particular issue.

He said that PBS had already shown its impartiality in its reporting of the Anton Refalo case, and that the subtle manipulation is often used to pass a pro- PL stance.

“This is not just harmful to the PN, but it is above all detrimental to democracy as it makes use of soft power and remains silent on issues that paint the Labour Party in a negative light,” Puli said.