Electronic media could make a difference at the polls

By Miriam Dunn

The appearance online of the Labour Party’s revamped website midweek was yet another sign that the Opposition is getting into serious pre-electioneering mood.

And the use of websites and, in the MLP’s case, an online newspaper – maltastar.com – may well add an important dimension to election campaigning and media warfare this time round.

Although the still-young maltastar.com has been criticised for blatant bias, inaccuracy and compromising its credibility in much of its reportage, the Labour Party will be hoping that its presence in the media has an impact on the electorate when it comes to polling day.

And although the Nationalist Party will want to downplay any influence the MLP’s online newspaper may have on voters, it will still be haunted by the consequences the PN had to bear at initially deciding against launching a television station. A decision it backtracked on after losing the 1996 elections.

The Nationalist Party has come under constant fire for failing to relay its message to the people and not utilising its media to the optimum.

But PN secretary general Joe Saliba yesterday denied that the MLP could be seen as winning the ‘electronic media war’.

"The Nationalist Party revamped its own media site www.media.link.com.mt and the party www.pn.org.mt website in September, 2001 and their success has been tremendous," he said. "The Nationalist Party’s monthly electronic leaflet ‘e-kuntatt’ has been well received by all and the party intends to further develop the site in the near future."

Mr Saliba said that the Nationalist Party was not, in any way, concerned by the Malta Labour Party website.

"Neither does the Labour Party electronic paper pose any threat, seeing that it is simply an electronic exercise recycling the false allegations and political sensationalism the Malta Labour Party thrives on," he added. "The Nationalist Party will continue to increase its PR according to our own agenda which is in no dictated by what the Labour Party says and does."

On the subject of election campaigning, he pointed out that since moving to the opposition benches in 1998, the Malta Labour Party has repeatedly alleged that a general election was imminent.

"It would be foolish of the Malta Labour Party not to gear up, even though the last date when the election can be held is in January 2004!" he said.

The PN secretary general also highlighted the fact that since the Nationalist government introduced the ‘electronic media’ in Malta, internet subscribers have soared.