Former BA chairman denies MP's allegations

Former Broadcasting Authority chairman Joseph M. Pirotta yesterday denied allegations about him, relating to the Gharghur master antenna case of 1998, made by Labour MP Joe Mizzi in parliament on Wednesday.

Prof. Pirotta said Mr Mizzi alleged that he had connived with a certain Mr Griscti of the Wireless Telegraphy Department so that on the day when the PN was to start test transmissions he (Prof. Pirotta) would be away from the island and that no other member of the Broadcasting Authority would be available. Prof. Pirotta denied this.

"I never had any dealings with Mr Griscti. Indeed, I do not even know who he is. While it is true that I was abroad on that day (attending the Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference where I chaired one of the sessions), the arrangements had been finalised on January 14, more than four months previously.

"Furthermore, Alfred Mallia Milanes was acting chairman in my absence. Thus, the Broadcasting Authority was legally constituted and indeed the acting chairman knew all about the illegal action taking place. However, there was no way it could be stopped," Prof. Pirotta said.

He added that it was also pertinent to add that the Broadcasting Authority had agreed on May 21, 1998 to joint test transmissions "to establish once and for all" whether the PN's claim that they possessed the technical means to transmit from Gharghur were unfounded or not. This was something the authority was bound to do constitutionally since it had to provide equal facilities to all political parties, he said.

"In view of the above, I expect Mr Mizzi to be a gentleman and to withdraw his remarks. At the same time, I reserve the right to take legal action against him should he repeat his false allegations without cover of parliamentary immunity," Prof. Pirotta said.