Veteran broadcaster Martin Micallef is the government’s pick to fill in the constitutional role of Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority following the sudden death of newly appointed BA Chairman George Mifsud, The Malta Independent has learnt.
Mr Mifsud was laid to rest yesterday following a funeral mass held in a packed Msida parish church.
Mr Micallef has vast experience in the media and broadcasting sector having worked for the Public Broadcasting Services as well as for the private sector.
The government is awaiting a reply from the Nationalist Party on the matter though it is not bound to reach an agreement on the appointment. The PN may find itself at a crossroads on this matter considering that its leader, Simon Busuttil, is calling into question the legitimacy of the Prime Minister following allegations that Joseph Muscat’s wife Michelle is the ultimate beneficiary owner of the Panamanian company Egrant, and the revelations that his Chief of Staff took kickbacks over the sale of Maltese citizenship. Should Busuttil agree with the Prime Minister on the BA appointment he would be seen as legitimising his position at the same time he is asking for his resignation.
On the other hand, Government may proceed with the appointment irrespective of the PN’s position on the matter as it did when it appointed Tania Borg Cardona and the late George Mifsud.
Mr Micallef enjoys respect within the industry and across the political spectrum. He is described by many who have worked with him as diligent, innovative and cautious in his approach, a perfect fit to fill in the shoes of former BA chairmen such as Prof. Joe Pirotta, Dr Joe Said Pullicino and Anthony Tabone.