Charlot Zahra's article entitled “Independent producers say half a million too little for quality PBS programmes”(TMIS, 29 January) made me ask myself a question which I would like readers to ask themselves.

In the article, it was stated that Mr Grima asked whether local media reports that Xarabank receives Lm5000 a week and Bondiplus another Lm2000 from PBS, were paid for from public funds. To my surprise Mr. Azzopardi reply was, “I don’t know, ask PBS.”

Well, we are talking of a sum, which runs into four figures, that are paid from public funds.

Let me repeat the question. Is it true that Xarabank and Bondiplus are getting all that money from public funds?

I, as one who pays my TV licence in full and stopped following said programmes for different reasons a long time ago, do worry if I know that my money is keeping these programmes going and I can only say shame on PBS.

In the meantime I have no choice but to continue watching other stations during peak time without me contributing a penny to their running.

Joe Vella

ZEBBUG