Minister refuses to disclose Malta Eurovision Song Contest costs
Owen Bonnici said the costs were 'commercially sensitive information'
The culture minister has refused to disclose the costs of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, saying in parliament that it is commercially sensitive information.
The information was sought by Nationalist MP Julie Zahra in a parliamentary question.
Zahra asked for the cost of the contest, including all services, flights, hotels, presenters and local and overseas guests. She also asked for a breakdown of what was paid by government entities and what was covered by private funding.
Minister Owen Bonnici only replied that he had been informed that the information was commercially sensitive.
Information on the contest's costs was occasionally given in the past. In 2013 PBS, which organises the show, said it had cost €200,000, but it was a completely commercial activity and the government did not fork out a cent.
Last year, however, PBS refused to issue details on the costs of that year's concert, also saying that it was commercially sensitive.
This year's contest was won by Aidan with his song Bella.
Last week the state broadcaster also refused to disclose its contractual agreement with TV presenter and podcaster Ricky Caruana, also on grounds of commercial sensitivity. Caruana was given aprime-time slot for a discussion programme on PBS in October.