The Need for a Maltese Par Condicio

The Italian media is currently ruled by a law which ensures that all political parties are given equal coverage. This law ensures a proper functioning of democracy at all times. It was enacted after considerations were made of how current Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi owns three Italian TV stations.

The situation in Malta is in a way similar. The local TV scene sees two major TV stations that are owned by the two largest political parties in Malta: Super 1, which is owned by the Labour Party and Net TV, owned by the Nationalist Party. This scenario means that the traditional parties have an unfair advantage on smaller parties when carrying out their propaganda.

If real democracy is to be present in Malta, then all parties are to be given equal opportunities in transmitting their message to the public. It is for this reason that I think a Par Condicio Law, ensuring that all political parties are given coverage on all stations, should be enacted. This law should give greater powers to the Broadcasting Authority in ordering spots and interviews with exponents of different parties, not only on State Television but also on all television stations operating in Malta.

I think that coverage levels given on all stations should be set to a minimum mark being calculated basing on how many votes the party concerned would have obtained in the previous general election. Newly-formed parties should obtain a minimum number of hours per week during which to transmit their own propaganda.

Furthermore, the Broadcasting Authority should strive to make sure all parties are given an equal opportunity to express their views on TV and radio talk-shows.

This situation would mean an improved state of democracy on local media – an aim which everyone who has freedom of opportunity at heart should embrace.