LETTERS | Wednesday, 05 December 2007

National broadcasting under Sant and Gonzi

Edward Torpiano (28 November, 2007) replied to my letter of 21 November in which I wrote that I had given up “buying and reading certain English-language newspapers…” after 50 years of being a regular reader and correspondent. I had also referred to the systematic way my letters were being ignored especially when a general election looms, while letters criticising Labour and its leader “start mushrooming”.
In his reply, Mr Torpiano alleged that my letters may have been considered “defamatory” and hence “not fit for publication”! It is quite obvious that Edward Torpiano’s letters to the same newspaper do not receive the same treatment and are published, sometimes in double-quick time! May I hence inform your correspondent, that during all the decades I have been writing letters in those newspapers, I was sued for libel only twice. Only by the then PN secretary-general Dr Louis Galea, and the second time by an ex-PN minister, Michael Falzon. Both of them lost their libel suit with costs.
In order to find an argument, Mr Torpiano referred to the time of Toni Pellegrini as head of Xandir Malta. Of course, Mr Torpiano did not dare mention the public broadcasting services when Dr Alfred Sant was prime minister, since he cannot find any credible criticism to make about the way public broadcasting was run during those 22 months of Dr Sant’s stewardship.
Not so today! Today we see the chairman and board of directors of PBS ignoring instructions of the Editorial Board. We see the head of the TVM newsroom, Sylvana Cristina being stopped from saying anything to explain decisions taken, unless minister Dr Austin Gatt or one of his minions approve what she intends to say!
We have seen the most popular programme on TVM, Tista Tkun Int, struck off the list of TVM programmes by the Board of Directors, while Bondiplus, which was not included in the list by the Editorial Board, was included by the Board of Directors. One can easily conclude why this has happened. But Rachel Vella was not allowed to continue with her most popular programme by the board, which falls under the responsibility of Dr Austin Gatt. What happened under Toni Pellegrini’s time – admittedly in a gruff manner – was child’s play compared to what is happening today at PBS under Dr Gonzi’s premiership. Incidentally, both Lou Bondì and Peppi Azzopardi – if I am not mistaken – were allowed to continue with their programmes on TVM during those 22 months of a Labour government.
This may also explain why Dr Gonzi is ready to debate with Dr Sant when the show is run by Lou and Peppi, but has refused Dr Sant’s challenge for “serious and civil debates” organised according to strict rules on timing, etc., under a moderator chosen by the Editorial Board or the Broadcasting Authority, or by mutual agreement of the two leaders. Is it so difficult to realise why Dr Gonzi has refused Dr Sant’s challenge? And why Edward Torpiano did not write one word about broadcasting in Dr Sant’s time as premier?

Eddy Privitera
Mosta

The Royal Opera ‘Porkerija’

May I refer to the old Teatru Rjal site which has been left in a pitiful state for the past 60 years. Rightly so this is a ‘porkerija’, to back Enzo Guzman’s statement.
The most important thing at this time and moment is that finally the two parties, since whether we like it or not we are a bi-partite nation, are in agreement that the site should be developed, and that this development should include the rebuilding of Freedom Square. In my opinion this square does not present the best backdrop to the entrance of Valletta. It has made a shambles of the awe and surprise feature that, notwithstanding its grid plan, is one of the architectural features of the original Valletta plan as built by the Knights.
So let’s not turn this into a political football that is being shot wide and asunder by the two parties. May I suggest that all architects who are members of parliament put their heads together and come out with an appropriate plan for the greater benefit of our nation. Hopefully their services can be a gift to the Maltese.
And as we are discussing the plan of the Valletta entrance, there is another eyesore not far away. I refer to the ex-Independence square in Valletta which has ashamedly been turned into a number of ‘gallinari’ (chicken coops). In which city or town of Europe is such a prime area turned into a haphazard agglomeration of sports facilities and a parking lot? Why not turn it into a square befitting its historical background? Now the original ground layout has been adulterated by our generation. So there is no background to be saved except the Lintorn Barracks backdrop.  I am sure that our architectural corps in Malta can come up with a proposal that aesthetically befits the area.  It can be turned into a site that attracts people to visit such as Trafalgar Square is for London.

Vince Peresso
via email

Police incompetence

“Anyone who has visited the streets of Paceville in the last 10 years will probably have been witness to several street fights in certain areas. It had been a while since I last visited certain clubs in Paceville but my last visit on Saturday, November 17, showed me that things haven’t changed much,” says Mr Andrew Pisani of Sta Venera in his recent contribution to your newspaper.
And how right he is. I liked his “or notify the police of what has just happened, which is as effective as an inflatable dart board”. He hit the nail on its head. However, the Police Commissioner is tougher than a nail when it comes to criticism regarding his duty to protect society.
No matter how many complaints he receives, he seems to be permanently switched off. In fact, security in Paceville is simply left to the bouncers employed by the entertainment spots. Police presence is normally to be found in the police station at St Julian’s, where they act as telephone operators playing hard to get. If one manages to get through to them, they make one cry with pity, poor men!
Monsieur Chef de Police, wake up to the duties for which the citizen pays you so punctually. If you do not have enough men or equipment in your force, it is due to your failure to carry out your remit in full, to protect society in every instance, and not at your whim. Comment in public if the minister is neglecting internal security. If he insists on being passive, then you would have no option, but to resign and disgrace him – until then, shame on you.

Jo Said
Selmun

Deserved tribute for the President

It is a pity that in Malta we do not practice much civility, as Opposition parties never agree with the government even if this is for the welfare of the country.
There is no need to say that there is an air of hate and envy for anything good that is produced by the government, as is the case of Smart City, and many other products such as factories, hotels, tourism and other improvements.
In all countries of the world, particularly those of Europe, when a crisis arises both government and opposition get together to try and solve the problem instead of insulting and envying the government. If the opposition agrees with the government there would be better results.
More respect should be shown to the President of Malta, as this is the person who represents Malta, and we are grateful to Dr Fenech Adami for it was through him that Malta succeeded in joining the EU. He is the one who succeeded in giving Malta its liberty in a time of terror when everyone was afraid to speak, but he fought and succeeded in turning Malta into a free country and part of the EU.
Those were dark days when everyone was afraid to show to which party they belonged, with people hiding their newspapers for fear that if these were seen there would be bad repercussions. A friend of mind was beaten up when he helped his favourite party during election time and he had to run for his safety: those were times of terror and fear which young people should know or learn about.
I knew Dr Fenech Adami since we both were in the first class at St Aloysius College, and he was so bright that he always came first in class, as we used to compete as to who would get the highest marks.
Since we joined the EU, Malta has improved in every respect: in tourism, industry, agriculture and other areas. New factories and hotels were attracted to Malta and have increased employment. One can read on the papers that hotels are being built all the time, industrial companies opening factories, and roads improving all over Malta.
Our president deserves an honour far higher than the Gieh ir-Repubblika; he is one of the best presidents Malta has had so far. And how are people from all over Europe, who have never heard of Malta before, are coming to learn about Malta and visiting out country? We owe this to our president.

Anthony Hammett
Attard