Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2010-06-14-Speech-1-186"
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"en.20100614.24.1-186"2
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"−
I would like to address this Parliament on an important topic which lies at the core of democratic principles: freedom of speech.
As an MEP, I have the duty to express my democratic rights, according to law, by informing my constituents about my Parliamentary work through the media, including TV programmes. The Broadcasting Authority, as regulator, is required by law to ensure political balance across the various programmes as broadcast by the various private television stations as a whole. It does not require each individual programme to be balanced in such a way that a person, appearing on his or her own, cannot express his or her views on matters of public policy. Despite this, on three occasions I was accused of breaching the law – while the television station was fined for broadcasting reports I had drafted for the European Parliament – on the ridiculous charge that I had created imbalance in my own programme. Underlying these decisions is the mistaken notion that balance is to be sought not by promoting pluralism and/or encouraging those of differing political beliefs to come forward and express their views, but by stopping them from doing so.
Many Maltese, who had very high aspirations with regard to the European Union and its values, are disappointed that when circumstances are deemed disquieting, censorship rears its head.
Madam President, I request Parliament’s protection from the infringement of my democratic rights as a European citizen, as well as an elected Member of the European Parliament."@en1
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