News • January 11 2004

No regrets over closure of VoM

The Voice of the Mediterranean radio station has been operating for 20 years, transmitted in 7 languages and was heralded as making a major contribution to the dissemination of Malta’s positive image abroad, but foreign minister Joe Borg described as "useful as a joint venture with a neighbouring Mediterranean country."
Borg was replying to a question put to him by MaltaToday shortly after the station’s closure, as to whether the government considered the VOM a useful tool to improve Malta’s image.
MaltaToday has also learned that the government has not taken a decision as to what to do with at least Lm300,000 worth of furniture, motor vehicles and equipment that are owned by the now defunct Voice of the Mediterranean radio station.
Foreign affairs minister Joe Borg said: "Different options are being considered, but a final decision has not, as yet, been taken."
In his two years as managing director Richard Muscat bought new cars to the tune of Lm31,000 and recently spent Lm78,000 on new equipment. New furniture was also purchased when some of what was replaced was relatively new. Muscat was also responsible for a contract worth Lm3,000 monthly to a website provider which employed his son.
The fate of the VOM employees remains uncertain and no contact has so far been made with them despite government promises they will be offered alternative employment.
While insiders still insist the Libyan government would like to keep the station open, the government insists that Libya is not interested to save the VOM.
"The Libyan authorities had made it clear that they are not interested in continuing the project. The Maltese government, on its part, made it clear that it had no objection to continue operating VOM should the Libyan government reconsider its position by the end of 2003, pay a substantial part, at least, of the arrears due and resumes paying its annual contributions for the activity of the VOM immediately it becomes due. Efforts are continuing to be made to recoup the arrears owed by the Libyan Government."
Asked whether there would be a full inquiry into Muscat’s management following media revelations the minister replied: "A report on the operations of the station has already been drawn up and laid on the table of the House of Representatives."
That report, conducted by foreign ministry officials was not extensive and had decided that Muscat had taken dubious employment and purchasing decisions. It was described as an insult to one’s intelligence by Labour spokespersons.