The Public Broadcasting Services today defended a journalist’s right to ask tough questions, saying that a complaint filed by the Nationalist Party against it was an attempt to stop journalists from doing their duty.

The Nationalist Party filed a complaint with the Broadcasting Authority, claiming that an interview with leader Bernard Grech last week was “guided by the government and PL’s political narrative.”

Grech was interviewed on TVM’s Insights on Friday 15 January. He was interviewed by journalist Glen Falzon. The national broadcaster acted in a discriminatory and prejudicial way against the Opposition Leader when comparing Grech’s interview to another one carried out with Prime Minister Robert Abela, the PN argued.

In its reply, the PBS said that it is not normal that it comments about a case that is still to be decided by the Broadcasting Authority. It said that it analysed the programme and noted the professional and impartial way it was conducted.

PBS said that freedom of expression and the protection of journalists were principles it endorsed.