One can debate at length about the goings on and turn of political events over the past weekend. But there was one subject that definitely came to the fore: Public Broadcasting.

The word state broadcasting does not even seem to fit anymore. Particularly since the public perception tends to imply or suggest that it seems to be more of a case of GonziPN controlled broadcasting.

Even if we were to put aside – which is very hard to do – the way people in key positions are former Net TV employees, and the other unacceptable fact that the CEO of PBS is a key strategist of GonziPN who played an instrumental role during the 2008 campaign – particularly the JPO Mistra saga and Alfred Sant press conference.

While all TV stations including the party stations got a rapping on their knuckles by the Broadcasting Authority it was interesting to note that both government leaning newspapers and PBS itself rather than giving lead item prominence to the fact that the BA had rapped PBS for its one sided Xarabank aftermath feature, chose to lead with the BA ruling on the PL’s decision to accept Franco Debono’s request for airtime during last Friday’s abortive Xarabank programme. Scrutiny of the media involved will confirm my claim.

Apart from censoring PBS for not having shown an alternative programme on Friday once it had been decided to shelve it, the BA censored PBS in the strongest of terms for having instead chosen to hold a special news edition during which the Xarabank host Peppi Azzopardi was interviewed at inordinate length.

PBS also aired comments given by the PN’s deputy leader as he was about to leave the WE Qormi studios.

I quote: PBS had all the right and duty to inform the public as to why a scheduled programme wasn’t going to be aired. However, PBS should have never aired a programme where only one version of the events was heard. The decision to have only the presenter present surpassed all justification.

If Franco Debono’s claim that Peppi Azzopardi tried to mediate between him and the PN is true this adds even more colour to the allegedly cozy relationship between this prominent anchorman and GonziPN. One moment he acted as ‘coach’ – in 2008 according to the then protagonist JPO when the Mistra saga had peaked and every attempt was made to turn the tables on Alfred Sant and now we have it that Mr Azzopardi tried to play the mediator.

Not bad for a media man to also play the role of coach and mediator where – always depending on whether this was true or not – the main beneficiary would have evidently been GonziPN itself.

Which brings us to another issue that came to the fore this past weekend. The true colours of Simon Busuttil – who Joseph Muscat referred to in tongue in cheek manner as Robin to Gonzi’s Batman.

There have been reports that he is seeking solace in the media mainly where he can be assured of a comfort zone. There have been unconfirmed reports that he has turned down requests to take part in a post government defeat debate on TVAM together with one of the PL deputy leaders, and that he also did the same on Bla Agenda, and even REALTA”. While party sources have informed me that Simon had declined the TVAM invite I have documentary evidence that shows that our two deputies had been invited by Deemedia to take part on TVAM on Wednesday 12th December at 7am on air to discuss the latest happenings after the decisive vote. I was equally informed  that our side had accepted to participate in the said programme.

I vividly recall an occasion when I had taken part with Mr Norman Vella amongst others on One TV in Inkontri. At the time Mr Vella who is now reportedly on the PBS payroll, was a Where’s Everybody employee. He had been so hysterical in his dismissive and arrogant remarks against the PL that I had then felt compelled to comment on these lines.

I had told him on air – While appreciating that you may be here in a personal capacity I hope that when the general elections are round the corner you will not adopt the same approach through WE. As you will be only making a bad situation worse in the dismal field of public broadcasting.

Alas, the recent turn of events has strengthened the ever growing perception that one reason why the PL has every right to consider itself to be an underdog, is that rather than merely taking on the PN, during this campaign, it will also have to deal with – in a big time – with both GonziPN as a government and also with the so called state broadcaster PBS.

While one appreciates the strong statement made by the Broadcasting Authority I sincerely hope that it will take all the necessary measures to take appropriate preventive action to ensure that such matters do not repeat themselves, rather than being compelled to take remedial action only once the damage has been done already.

Gonzi’s silence on this issue can be easily understood. He seems not to mind it one bit.

And neither – apparently does the new PN deputy Leader.

His ‘golden silence’ on this issue is almost identical to his silence on:

the ever growing whiffs of corruption and the Transparency International report

the NAO report in general and the Wasteserv scandal in particular

the sad state of the environment

the repeated mantras on how strong our health and education sectors are

the scaremongering campaign that intensified once he took over

his reluctance to rein in those who relish personal attacks either against PL supporters/activists as well as dissident Nationalists

All these negative indicators go to prove one thing. That while Joseph Muscat set out to unify the party the moment he took over in 2008, Busuttil’s first efforts have so far run counter to his self professed platform of reconciliation.

It was equally unfair of him to accuse our media of attacking him personally.

After all, the one’s who rubbished him most – unfairly in my opinion – on a personal basis, were certain elements and delegates within his own party who might have supported and or rooted for another candidate for deputy leader.

Meanwhile the PL remains committed to work for positive change, embracing all those well meaning persons who are ready to contribute actively to the shaping of a better future – regardless of their political views.

I take this opportunity to thank the editorial staff of this newspaper as well as its printed and on line media for their space and attention over the past year.

Best to all readers too – regardless of their political orientation. Wishing you all a Happy Xmas and also a much better New Year.