The editorial board of Public Broadcasting Services has sent a letter to instruct programme presenter Lou Bondi to be more responsible in the face of heated discussion.

The letter was sent to Mr Bondi in response to the way Bondi Plus, broadcast on PBS on 6 February, unfolded.

The letter was sent in reference to a heated argument that broke out between Mr Bondi and programme guest Wenzu Mintoff, who was a member of the panel discussing the resignation of Gordon Cordina from National Statistics Office director general.

Mr Bondi and Dr Mintoff, who is the Malta Labour Party’s education secretary, became involved in a heated exchange. The PBS board said that the quality of the production on 6 February “does not do anything for our station and programmes’ reputations”.

The board also informed Mr Bondi that the way in which he approached the discussion was not professional, especially when one countered personal attacks with reciprocal personal attacks.

It said that in future, when political discussions get heated, he should host in a detached and responsible manner. This, the board said, would ensure a true public service. The board said that this statement was made in view of the position that the Broadcasting Authority had taken by threatening legal action in the event of a repeat performance.