Malta news: fair broadcasting

Labour would form ‘best Cabinet ever’ – Muscat
The Labour Party would form the best cabinet in Maltese history should it be elected to government in the next general election, party leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday. At a question-and-answer session which formed part of the party’s 2012 general conference, Dr Muscat also confirmed that he would be contesting in the second electoral district – which comprises the Three Cities, Żabbar, Kalkara and Xgħajra. He was set to reveal his intention to contest that district next Sunday, but was pre-empted by a question asked through the party’s official Facebook page. In a session frequently interrupted by applause, the announcement elicited the loudest one before party delegates rose for a standing ovation at the end. The district was former party leader Dom Mintoff’s stronghold, and Dr Muscat said that it was appropriate for the Labour leader to contest on the district where the party was born. The Labour leader, however, has not yet decided which other district to contest in. His hometown, Burmarrad, falls under the 12th district. With an early election a distinct possibility, given an imminent confidence vote and Nationalist MP Franco Debono’s insistence that he will no longer back Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, the session focused largely on what a future Labour government would do.(independent.com.mt)

Only Gonzi capable of leading country – Minister Fenech
Speakers including Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, at a Nationalist Party political activity in Balzan, yesterday insisted that the party was the only one capable and experienced enough to address present economic concerns. The boldest among them was Minister Tonio Fenech who said that only Lawrence Gonzi was capable of leading the country in this time of crisis. The political activities organised by the PN and the Labour Party on Sundays are typically relatively low-key affairs, but far larger crowds than usual attended two Sundays ago, as Nationalist MP Franco Debono’s assertion that he would not back the prime minister made the prospect of an early election more likely. Labour is currently holding its annual general conference – for which attendance is restricted to party delegates – but the PN’s activity in Balzan yesterday followed the tone set in Marsaxlokk the previous Sunday, with a sizeable and boisterous crowd making the event resemble a small-scale mass meeting.In an apparent reference to Dr Debono, Dr Gonzi urged against the use of personal attacks against people who disagreed with the party, insisting that people’s dignity had to be respected regardless of their beliefs. But his main argument was that government took many difficult decisions over the past few years, and that Labour would have acted differently, with dire consequences for Malta.(independent.com.mt)

AD calls for fair broadcasting
In a letter sent to the Broadcasting Authority (BA), Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party asked the Authority to ensure fair broadcasting in the eventuality of general elections. In reply, Pierre Cassar, CEO of the BA, said that this will be discussed by the board during the next meeting. Ralph Cassar, AD General Secretary, said: “In view of the possible impending national elections, AD has asked the Broadcasting Authority to issue a directive to all TV stations, in particular to One TV and Net TV, to ensure that in any future national election campaigns, representatives of all political parties are to be invited on all programmes debating issues related to the election campaign. The policy upheld till now, to allow NET and ONE to exclude the representatives of AD, goes against the basic tenets of democracy and pluralism which are advocated by the EU, which Malta forms part of.” Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “The Broadcasting Authority board comprises representatives of the Nationalist and Labour parties, and it excludes representatives from the Green Party and from civil society. When AD will be asked to participate in meetings on political broadcasts, we will do our utmost to ensure fair broadcasting during the elections. Maltese society deserves fair play in order that voters can make informed decisions.”(independent.com.mt)

Athletics team take part in Gozo weekend training camp
he local athletics track-and-field competitive season will take off in the first week of February and most of the local athletes are very keen to test their 4 month pre-season training in competition. Thanks to the close collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and to the support by the local PUMA agents, a group of sprinters and hurdlers coached by Mario Bonello, last weekend held a training camp in Gozo. Though Gozo still lacks an athletics running track, the excellent football ground at Sannat and the ground at Nadur are considered as good alternative training venues. Mario Bonello noted that in addition to the positive effects of the training sessions themselves, he believes that it is important to have the group out of their daily hectic routine of studies and work to spend some time together in the relaxed and friendly environment that Gozo offers. “Last year I had the National Sprints team twice out here in Gozo and it was a great experience for all. I think that the National Team spirit we created last year was sown on the Sannat football Ground!”One of last year’s Athletics heroine, Diane Borg, was also in Gozo last weekend. Among other achievements, she last year she went out to win two gold medals and a silver medal at the Games of Small States of Europe, breaking 3 National records in the process. Diane is now also a finalist in the Malta Sports Awards. She is a role model even within this team as, whilst achieving so much in athletics last year, she was also finalising her University studies, graduating in BSC Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. “Both parents and children should look up to athletes like her,” the team said.(gozonews.com)