Lou Bondi’s programme BondiPlus of 17 December, dealing with the book by diplomat Evarist Saliba, was yesterday fined €1,164 (Lm500) by the Broadcasting Authority for lack of balance.

The case was presented to the authority by its chief executive who alleged a breach of article 13(2)(f) of the Broadcasting Act, laying down impartiality on matters of political or industrial controversy or which have to do with current public policy.

Mr Bondi, as producer/presenter of the programme, and TVM representatives, made submissions to the authority about the charge.

The authority said Mr Bondi, instead of focusing on the diplomatic experiences of the book’s author, had chosen to build his programme mainly on some personal experiences of the author, most of which had political rather than diplomatic connotations and which were generally critical of previous Labour ministers or administrations.

Even where the presenter chose to deal with the author’s diplomatic experiences, such as those relating to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (today the OSCE), a more balanced and professional treatment should have been made. Mr Bondi’s treatment of the subject had not been balanced, the authority ruled.

Persons the presenter had invited to take part had not accepted to do so, the authority said.

Though the presenter would have observed his duty for balanced participation, even where guests turned down the invitation, this could not be said to apply to all cases.

The authority said that in this case the presenter could have balanced the author’s opinions with the opinions of others, not necessarily politicians, such as historians or academics. Mr Bondi had not done this, the authority said.

In a statement issued later, Mr Bondi said that the programme was based on a one-on-one interview in the studio with the author, a matter which the authority knew about.

It seems that the authority wanted parts of the book to be discussed, and not others. It is not the BA’s competence to decide on the editorial content of a current affairs programme. The authority should not assume the role of a journalist.

He said he agreed with the authority that all programmes should be balanced, and it was with this in mind that the producers did their best to be impartial.

Mr Bondi said that this was an unjust decision that goes against the spirit of the broadcasting law.

He claimed that the authority exercised powers and discretion that went beyond its means and also discriminated against the programme.

This is the first time in 15 years that Mr Bondi said the authority had taken such steps against him.

“I am taking the matter very seriously,” Mr Bondi said, adding that he will be contesting the authority’s decision in the courts.