From individual talent to collective strength

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to expose the harsh realities behind the glossy façade of Malta’s television industry. The response was overwhelmingly positive, striking a chord with workers tired of short career spans, dismal pay, and basic indignities on set.

Nonetheless, people continue to speak out—frequently, passionately, and unfortunately anonymously—behind the safety screens of social media. It is easy to vent on Facebook, but the results are severely limited. Ranting may feel cathartic, yet it changes nothing about the structural inequities that allow exploitation to thrive. Algorithms reward outrage, but they do not draft contracts, negotiate minimum wages, or establish baseline workplace protections.

Moreover, relying solely on personal channels actively undermines the power of collective organisations. Organisations can only achieve real change when they truly represent their members. Individualism creates a chaotic atmosphere of disagreement, fragmented voices that can easily be side lined, whereas true leverage requires a unified front.

Social media platforms are engineered to monetise outrage and feed the ego, offering the illusion of impact without the friction of actual organising. A viral post or a flurry of agreement creates a quick dopamine hit that feels like a victory but safely confines dissent to the digital realm where it poses no threat to the status quo. This acts as a pressure valve, dissipating the collective energy needed for structural reform before it can be channelled into tangible pressure.

In this landscape, hyper-individualism functions as the primary enemy of collective bargaining and sectoral development. When workers act as isolated operators protecting only their immediate standing, they inadvertently reinforce the severe power imbalances of the industry. Employers can easily manage, isolate, or dismiss scattered, competing voices. Sustainable sectoral development and genuine bargaining power depend entirely on solidarity, shared risk, and a unified platform. True structural change when fragmented shouting matches are replaced with disciplined, organised representation.

This individualistic venting brings to mind an observation musician and producer Brian Eno made during his 2015 lecture, where he drew a distinction between ‘genius’ and ‘scenius’. While genius is the brilliance of vision of the isolated individual, scenius represents the collective intelligence of a thriving community. As Eno noted, great ideas and true breakthroughs may be articulated by individuals, but they are almost always generated by communities. Culture, innovation, and change do not happen in a vacuum, nor do they happen through disconnected, solo voices shouting into the void.

Right now, Malta’s television workers are trying to fight systemic industry problems as isolated ‘geniuses’ of grievance. But change requires scenius. It requires collective intelligence, shared purpose, and organised solidarity.

They cannot afford to remain fragmented. The €36.5 million local TV sector generates substantial economic value, but without a unified front, that wealth will continue to bypass the people who actually make the content. Producers and broadcasters hold the cards precisely because the workforce is divided.

It is time to move from anonymous complaining to organised action. If they want fair compensation, safe working conditions, and an end to the culture of working merely for “exposure”, they must join forces.

This is a direct call to action for everyone working in television in Malta to stop venting alone. Step up and join structured representation. Get involved!

Individual voices can be ignored or silenced; a collective workforce cannot. Real power is born from community. You can build your scenius and overhaul your industry together.