Broadcasting Authority Must Enforce Impartiality Across All TV & Radio, Says Momentum

Momentum said that while the Nationalist Party is right to raise questions about political balance at PBS, Malta’s broadcasting laws must be applied consistently across all broadcasters and not only to the public broadcaster.

The party said that Malta’s broadcasting framework requires due impartiality on television and radio, particularly on matters relating to public policy. It argued that broadcasters cannot simply claim that opposing views are available on another station, as the obligation to provide fair representation applies to each broadcaster individually.

Momentum said that PBS generally reports its statements on TVM, although these reports are often placed at the end of news bulletins. It said that while the party was invited to participate in some political debates during the 2026 election campaign, this level of representation has not continued outside the electoral period. The party added that it has rarely been given opportunities to participate in political discussion programmes on PBS, including programmes such as Bla Rispetti.

At the same time, Momentum highlighted that it regularly sends its press releases to all media houses in Malta but said that NET and ONE do not feature its statements in their news bulletins or online portals. It also claimed that it has never been invited to participate in political debates on either station, including their radio platforms.

General Secretary of Momentum Mark Camilleri Gambin said that political ownership of a broadcaster should not remove the obligation to respect due impartiality.

“Some may argue that this is simply what one should expect from party-owned broadcasters: that their station will only give space to its own party propaganda. But that cannot be the standard by which Malta’s broadcasting laws are applied. Political ownership of a station does not remove the legal obligation of due impartiality,” he said.

Momentum also called for a stronger distinction between the role of a public broadcaster and private media organisations. It said PBS should remain independent from political or editorial interference while questioning whether a publicly funded broadcaster should compete directly with private media outlets for commercial revenue.

The party thanked independent media houses, broadcasters and podcasters that provide it with platforms to reach the public, saying that without their contribution its ability to communicate with citizens would be significantly limited.

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