The Broadcasting Authority has fined local radio station RTK 103 a total of €4,660 for failing to maintain impartiality by not inviting far-right candidates, such as Norman Lowell of Imperium Europa, onto their program.
This marks the second fine imposed on RTK by the BA, following a €6,410 fine in January when host Andrew Azzopardi stated on-air that he would not allow Norman Lowell to share his extremist, racist, and far-right views on the program.
RTK is currently appealing both fines in court, arguing that they infringe on the station’s editorial freedom by “forcing it to air extremist, racist, far-right political views.”
The station maintains that it fully adhered to the Broadcasting Authority’s directive for “a wide representation of different opinions” during the electoral campaign by inviting over 60 guests with diverse views while excluding all electoral candidates.
The Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin (IĠM) has expressed solidarity with Andrew Azzopardi and RTK103, stating that “racism needs no protection from the state.”
The IĠM argued that the Authority should not interfere with a station’s editorial policies, nor should it require the airing of content from individuals like Norman Lowell, who has been convicted of racial hate crimes.
#MaltaDaily