The Nationalist Party’s youth wing Team Start has compared Malta’s state broadcaster to that of North Korea, as it demanded the withdrawal of a discussion-stifling memo which became public on Wednesday. 

In a political stunt on Thursday, Team Start took to the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) headquarters dressed in red jumpsuits emblazoned with the North Korean flag.  

The youths were also holding a placard with the logo of Labour Party media house ONE Television plastered onto it. 

The stunt came after PBS head of news Norma Saliba issued a memo to staff saying that all current affairs subjects need to be submitted to her 15 days in advance for approval. 

“Norma Saliba, who its stifling democracy, used to work at ONE. On what planet can she be considered impartial?”, Eve Borg Bonello told those present. 

“In no other country but North Korea does the national broadcaster become the government’s noticeboard, when it should be impartial.” 

The PN has long been criticising the state broadcaster, saying that it was getting little to no airtime, while the PL and government ministers were getting the lion’s share instead.