The item carried out under the column Odds and Ends (TMID, 15 September), which mentioned PBS, is factually incorrect.

Your columnist said that PBS carried a news item blaming MIA on a particular issue and that MIA issued a statement because of an erroneous report by PBS.

This is incorrect as we did not blame MIA for anything. In our news bulletin on 2 September, we said that the airport authorities were expected to revise the unclaimed luggage procedures to ensure that safety and security are not compromised after a piece of luggage left at the airport in July was found to contain eight kilos of drugs two months later.

Our news report stressed the fact that leaving a piece of unclaimed luggage for two months without checking its contents is rather a long time and contrasts with the security announcements made that unattended luggage will be collected and destroyed.

On the following day, the MIA issued a statement saying it was not involved in the procedures related to unclaimed luggage and that it simply provides the infrastructure for managing luggage. MIA said it was the ground handlers’ responsibility to deal with unclaimed luggage.

This statement was carried by PBS on the following day, but as there was nothing wrong in our original story, we did not feel we had to own up to any mistake.

Perhaps not everyone is perturbed by the fact that unclaimed luggage with unknown contents are left at the airport for two months before being checked for their contents. But, as a public service broadcaster, we are very concerned and will continue to follow such stories as we feel the security and safety of people is part of our concern.

Natalino Fenech

Editor and Head of News

Public Broadcasting Services Ltd