The Nationalist Party has stopped short of calling for the resignation of PBS head of news Reno Bugeja, despite the Party's constant complaints about the lack of impartiality at the national broadcaster.

Asked by The Malta Independent why the PN has stopped short of calling for Mr Bugeja's resignation, PN MP Clyde Puli said Mr Bugeja is an intelligent person and knows what he has to do.

Mr Puli was addressing a press conference outside of PBS in light of a ruling by the Broadcasting Authority which chided the national broadcaster for failing to report the incident in Parliament between Labour MP Joe Debono Grech and Independent MP Marlene Farrugia.

Mr Debono Grech was heard threatening to beat up Dr Farrugia, while the latter was heard calling him a clown.

Mr Puli said that the incident in question was widely reported by the independent media, yet PBS failed to report it in a timely manner.

Mr Puli also noted that the PBS news portal "manipulated" the news of the 300 employees who are going to be laid off by De La Rue, with PBS instead reporting that De La Rue will be investing €21 million in a centre of excellence in Malta. 

In a statement, PBS denied any interference by Castille into its editorial policy.

It noted that this was the first time in two-and-a-half years that the BA found what it termed as "serious shortcomings" in PBS' reportage.

In reply to the PBS statement, Mr Puli said Mr Bugeja should do his job instead of covering up the government's behaviour.

He accused Mr Bugeja of hiding Mr Debono Grech's threat in Parliament, and doing the same with the news about De La Rue's layoffs.