Updated 20.09.24 with joint statement by RTK103 and Paul Bonello

Paul Bonello, a financial advisor well known for his outspoken views on economic and political matters, has lost his spot on RTK103, the radio station owned by the Church in Malta.

Mr Bonello had a fortnightly segment where he discussed finance and economic matters.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday (today), he said he has been “advised by the RTK Management that my participation in the programme has been suspended with immediate effect.”

The suspension comes after Mr Bonello’s scathing criticism of APS Bank’s takeover bid for HSBC Bank Malta, revealed by WhosWho.mt last week - although RTK103 said the decision "had absolutely nothing to do" with his comments. 

In a series of social media posts and in a media interview, Mr Bonello called out the Bank’s ultimate majority owner – the Archdiocese of Malta – for engaging in the commercial takeover.

In one post, he quoted the Gospel’s account of Jesus in the Temple, when he drove out sellers and money-changers while exhorting them to “stop turning my Father’s house into a market.”

In another, he implied that Archbishop Charles Scicluna should be more concerned with recovering the estimated 70 per cent of Maltese Roman Catholics who no longer attend Church, than with acquiring HSBC Holdings plc’s 70 per cent stake in HSBC Bank Malta.

Following his suspension, Mr Bonello questioned whether it has anything to do with his criticism of the deal.

“Is this the attitude of the church authorities with which they receive criticism? Is it possible that they treat freedom of expression with such disdain and contempt? Is this the approach of the Church with the laity?” he asked.

In a sardonic reference to the infamous interdict issued by the Maltese Church against Labour voters in the 1960s, he asked: “Am I going to be tainted by mortal sin? Will I be given a Christian burial?”

In a statement, RTK103 denied any connection between his comments and his removal from its schedule.

"Before the launch of its new schedule, RTK103 communicated to Mr Paul Bonello that changes were being made to the financial literacy segment of Christine Delicata’s radio programme ‘Għal Kulħadd’, since in recent days a sponsor was acquired for this segment.

"Changing line-ups of presenters and, in his case, guests, is normal practice with the launch of new schedules especially when content is sponsored.

"Mr Bonello can rest assured that decisions in this regard have absolutely nothing to do with his comments in the media. RTK103 has never taken issue with him or any other guests on this topic.

"We thank Mr Bonello for his valuable contributions to our programming schedules and will explore if there are any options in our radio programming schedule which might be mutually beneficial."

Update 20.09.24

On Friday 20th September, RTK103 and Paul Bonello issued a joint statement saying that he would be retaining his spot on Christine Delicata’s programme ‘Għal Kulħadd’.

They said that during a "cordial meeting" held on Thursday, it was agreed that the independent financial advisor would return to the station as a guest after the recently-acquired sponsor for the slot pulled out.

RTK stated that discussions with the sponsor initially took place four months ago and only reached a conclusion in recent days and that the sponsor was unaware Mr Bonello would be impacted by the arrangement.

They said that, as mentioned in Beacon Media’s initial statement, "there were never any ulterior motives in RTK’s acquiring of a sponsor for the slot occupied by Mr Bonello. There was certainly no attempt on behalf of Beacon Media to silence anyone."

The clarified that the guest slot occupied by Mr Bonello, an independent financial advisor without any ties to an investment house, "is neither a sponsored nor a paid advert. Nor does he receive any remuneration."

Beacon Media reiterated its commitment to providing the general public with objective, informed and diverse opinions in line with its mission, ethics and values.

Beacon Media and Mr Bonello said they are pleased recent misunderstandings have been cleared and look forward to collaborating going forward.