[MT] Guidelines on the obligation of due impartiality

Abstract

In April 2012, the Maltese public service broadcaster - Public Broadcasting Services Limited - issued a set of Guidelines on the Obligation of Due Impartiality addressed at news, current affairs programmes and programmes dealing with controversial issues. According to these Guidelines, “due impartiality is the presentation of divergent views on any issue that is objectively presented by the producer and presenter”. Responsibility in law vests in the Head of News for decisions concerning the content of news bulletins and current affairs programmes transmitted by the public service broadcaster. These Guidelines apply to all PBS employees. These employees are debarred from associating themselves “with a political party or undermin[ing] the perception of the impartiality, integrity, independence and objectivity of PBS”. [Excerpt]