Nationalist Party challenges PBS and Broadcasting Authority over alleged media bias

The Nationalist Party (PN) has filed a constitutional case against Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) and the Broadcasting Authority, alleging systematic political bias in national news coverage. A court has granted the party’s request for an urgent hearing, with proceedings scheduled to begin on October 15.

The PN claims that news coverage is heavily skewed toward the government. Citing data from June 2025 to May 2026, the party notes that PBS broadcast 532 soundbites featuring government members compared to only 66 featuring Opposition members. While the government has argued these appearances often relate to ministers performing official duties, the PN argues this imbalance violates rights to freedom of expression and protection against political discrimination.

Additionally, the application addresses the impartiality of public-service presenters, specifically citing presenter Ricky Caruana. The PN alleges that Caruana’s social media activity and public conduct, including the promotion of government projects, demonstrate an institutional failure to enforce impartiality rules. The PN clarified that it is not seeking a personal judgment against Caruana, but rather using his conduct as evidence of broader regulatory failures by the Broadcasting Authority.