FAA Coordinator Astrid Vella has hit out at PBS, saying that while FAA representatives are called to appear on positive cultural programmes, they are no longer called upon to cover controversial environmental issues.

Speaking with The Malta Independent, following a post on her Facebook wall, she said that she used to frequently appear on PBS radio programme Familja Wahda, however FAA's inclusion in the show has now stopped. Originally she used to participate in the radio show once every two-weeks, she said, however this was reduced to once a month during the last administration.

In her Facebook post, Mrs Vella said: "Following repeated questions on PBS Radio, I wish to state publicly that my absence from Lillian Maestre's programme is not of my doing, nor, I would imagine, Lillian's. Since my requests to appear have been refused for the past 6 months, and my enquiries as to the reason have not been answered, I can only presume that I have been banned by someone in charge who is not comfortable with the fact that FAA speaks the inconvenient truth, whoever is in power. I take this opportunity to wish radio listeners a happy and serene New Year, and assure them that if invited, we will be only too happy to participate on the radio as we have always done in the past".

Contacted and asked to further clarify her statement, Mrs Vella said that when an FAA spokesperson would participate in such programmes, the topic would gain greater attention, however when on the radio programme some time ago, Mrs Vella said she had made a statement about the Planning Authority. "following this, a woman called in saying she was surprised that I was allowed to come on the programme and say such things. After that, everytime we had an issue that needed to be aired to draw the public's attention, we were ignored or given an excuse, and no matter how early we tried to book the Familja Wahda programme for the topic, we were told it was always fully booked"

She said that she released her Facebook update about the issue as there were listeners who would call and asking about her absence from the programme as of late. "I don't want people given the impression that I am the one refusing to appear, so I posted the update to clarify the situation".

"Being an unpaid volunteer I have nothing to gain from such radio slots and was only speaking out to set the record straight and in the interest of free speech".

Mrs Vella explained that she heard through the grapevine that someone high up was no longer comfortable with her participation on the Programme. " I tried to tackle the situation with another person high up, and I was assured that this was not the case and that he would get back to me. This was four months ago and he still hasn't.