Times have really changed.

It was a time when only one Maltese TV station existed, when pluralism in broadcasting was still years away, and when social media was still hard to imagine.

It was in 1981, late in the year, that Malta experienced its first televised debate between the leaders of the main political parties.

The election was held in December and, a few days before, then Labour Party leader (and Prime Minister) Dom Mintoff and then Nationalist Party leader (and Opposition Leader) Eddie Fenech Adami faced each other in what became a historical occasion.

These photos were sent to The Malta Independent this morning by Tonio Portughese, who had moderated the debate 40 years ago. “We were still on black and white TV, and the debate is considered as a landmark in the history of national broadcasting in our country,” Portughese said.

He said that he had been appointed by the Broadcasting Authority to lead the debate, with the backing of both parties, both of which had later thanked him for the way it had been conducted.

He said he wanted to share “these historical and memorable photos”, 40 years down the line.

The election had been held in December 1981, with the Labour Party winning the majority of parliamentary seats in spite of bagging fewer votes than the PN.

Labour governed for the five tumultuous years that followed, during which constitutional changes were made to enable the winner of the majority of votes to take over the administration as from the following election, held in May 1987.