PN candidate and radio personality David Thake will soon launch his very own radio station called Switch, The Malta Independent has learnt.

He plans to begin broadcasting as soon as possible, Mr Thake told this newsroom while expressing his hope that the station will begin broadcasting before the end of September.

“There are a number of official things that still need to be done, such as receiving a green light from the Broadcasting Authority – which should be a mere formality – and putting a couple of bits and pieces together which I estimate should take a few weeks”.

“I started in radio around 26 years ago, and up until a couple of weeks ago I was a daily presenter on Radio 101. The leadership of the party decided that all candidates should stop presenting programmes on the party media as of the end of September. With the Santa Marija break and a few personal commitments, I decided to stop in early August,’ said Mr Thake who is also the Deputy Mayor of St Paul’s Bay.

His programme was one of the most popular shows on Radio 101. His trade mark was to call politicians on the spot and challenge them on stories revealed in the mainstream media.

Mr Thake said that he discussed different ways in which he could continue to be of service with the party media. “I’m quite pleased the party supported my idea to get directly involved in a radio station myself”.

The station will see the return of his programme, ‘Taghna Lkoll’, while allowing the possibility for others to air their views as well.

Asked about the party’s decision to stop his programme, and whether he agrees with it, he said that the PN never tries to stifle the voice of its candidates.

“But in order to have all the candidates on a level playing-field, all candidates will be withdrawn from presenting on the party media as of the next schedule beginning October. The party has always encouraged candidates to be present on other media.” he said. 

“The party always takes this decision with regards to candidates, sometimes they do it earlier, sometimes later. I have always made it clear that I am on the air as long as the party wishes me to be on the air and when the party wanted me to stop, I stopped. The leadership makes a decision and everyone follows this decision”.

Mr Thake, asked whether he is personally financing the venture, said; “you would be surprised how cheap it is to set up a radio station. It will not be broadcast on FM. Our plan is to use Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) as well as the internet, Youtube and Facebook. It will be an online radio station also broadcasting through DAB”.

The company that will own the equipment and broadcast will be owned by Mr Thake who is also a telecoms provider and imports furniture from Italy.

Discussing the types of hosts he wants on his station, he said that his primary interest is to give those wishing to speak their mind the opportunity to do that.

“The station will also cater for the musical tastes of persons aged 30 and above. The station will appeal to those wishing to listen to straight talk, along with some good music”.

He said that he does not have any other hosts or DJs yet, given that this are still very early stages.

Asked whether, given that he is a PN candidate, those with Labour Party leanings would be allowed shows on his station, he said that he has no problem with anyone as long as they are respectful to people’s intelligence.

“I have no wish to keep anyone’s mouth shut. Of course I am a PN candidate and my interest is for the PN to win the next general election. I’m not interested in having Glenn Bedingfield having a programme if that’s what you’re asking”.

“The moment we go live we will make it public through the media and Facebook. We will start some test transmissions in a few days that will help ensure we have the best quality and the right flexibility to do what we want to do. Right now we are trying to locate some partners in certain areas, such as procurement and dissemination of news as well as some other content such as cultural content. I’m sure there are many people and organisations interested in getting their voices out there, and maybe did not have the financing or the opportunity to do that just yet. I want to bring radio closer to these organisations”.