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MLP media moguls come under fire

Although Alfred Sant has made some positive changes since taking over as Labour party leader, the fact that he has allowed the MLP to be hijacked by a minority via its media machinery leaves much to be desired.

These are the views of former MLP secretary general, Dominic Fenech, speaking in a frank, wide-ranging interview which appears in today’s issue of our newspaper.

"I admire Alfred Sant for changing the party’s image, such as getting rid of unruly elements that used to give it a bad name and establishing the new headquarters in Hamrun, but the way he tackled some of the other problems was not so well planned," Dr Fenech said.

"The Labour party media is supposed to be of service to all Labourites but it sometimes looks like an instrument to streamline opinion."

Describing the MLP as at risk of becoming the "legion of the few", he continues: "People like Manwel Cuschieri and Alfred Mifsud are not the best assets of the MLP."

The former secretary general, who is a history lecturer, also questions the way the MLP has closed ranks over the EU issue.

"It is not healthy that you are unable to support the European Union and work with the MLP," he says. "If you are against social services or social assistance, then that is another thing, since the Malta Labour party was created to take care of the workers and the deprived. But the issue of Europe does not come into the equation."