The Broadcasting Authority has said that its board secretary no longer has an official role within Imperium Europa.

It issued a statement in reaction to criticism levelled against it over a decision the Board took to fine a local radio station for one of its programme presenter's refusing to have Norman Lowell on his programme. Among other things, the Institute of Maltese Journalists had said that it was concerned that the secretary of the Authority's board, Dr. Adriano Spiteri, was an active member of Imperium Europa until a few years ago, "a situation that casts doubt on the impartiality of the board, as much as it is worrying that the appointment of the board depends only on persons nominated by the two political parties represented in the parliament."

In reaction, the Broadcasting Authority said that it denies certain reports in the media regarding its decision in the RTK case taken on 22 January 2024. "The decision is based on a breach of Article 34 (1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act, concerning unjust or unfair treatment."

The BA said that the Broadcasting Authority Board "listens to the concerned parties during hearings and deals with the facts presented that strictly regard the broadcasting law. The decision also mentions that RTK 103 had already registered an admission for a breach committed by the same presenter, which decision found the station guilty on 4 August 2022. In this decision the BA Board imposed a penalty of €4,660 that applies if the station repeated the offence."

The Authority also made reference to comments regarding the Secretary of the Board, Adriano Spiteri, "which comments are being deemed to be unfounded in view of the fact that Dr Adriano Spiteri was chosen by the BA Board after a public call and after interviews with applicants were carried out," it said. "The Authority also confirmed that Adriano Spiteri was no longer assuming an official role in the political party. The role of Secretary is defined in the Broadcasting Act and doesn't include, in one form or other, his involvement in their decisions or deliberations," it said, adding that there was no conflict of interest.