In her article of Sunday 30 September entitled ‘PBS – why can’t it live up to its name?’, Dr Anna Mallia placed much of the blame for what she considers to be a malaise afflicting the public service broadcaster on the Broadcasting Authority.
However, her assessment is based on a misconception of roles and responsibilities as well as on certain incorrect information. I feel, therefore, that the following clarifications should be provided.
Dr Mallia expresses amazement as to how the Authority sees nothing wrong when “in Malta, the Minister has decided to do away with State aid completely at PBS”, thereby rendering “the public broadcasting station like any commercial station”. She furthermore enquires why the Authority does not remind the responsible Minister that State aid to public service broadcasters is allowed in terms of EU legislation.
The public service broadcaster has, in fact, been receiving a not insignificant amount of State aid at least for the past three years. This comes in the form of an annual subvention paid to the broadcaster through the Ministry responsible for broadcasting policy (currently the Ministry for Tourism and Culture) and is subject to a public service obligation contract between the two parties. While the Broadcasting Authority, together with other parties, is duly consulted before this contract is concluded, the Authority does not have a final or indeed a determining say on the terms of the contract. Neither has the Authority been provided with a mandate, legal or otherwise, to ensure that the public service obligations of the broadcaster are being adhered to.
Dr Mallia should also know that the broadcasting stations of the public service broadcaster are not licensed by the Broadcasting Authority, thereby precluding the Authority from imposing station-specific licence conditions, possibly including conditions linked to public service and ancillary obligations. These stations are currently licensed by the Minister responsible for communications in terms of the provisions of article 16A of the Broadcasting Act. In the past, the Authority had made representations to Government proposing that it should itself assume the obligation to issue these licences. However, this proposal had not been accepted.
In her article, Dr Mallia also suggests that the Authority condones a situation in public service broadcasting where “even in certain interviews that are made on current affairs issues, there is no balance between the various political views of the people: it is always Nationalist MP’s and Nationalist MEPs”.
While there have been cases during the previous broadcasting season where the Authority has had to reprimand the public service broadcaster on inadequate political representation in some editions of a particular programme, this sweeping statement is manifestly incorrect and the Authority makes every effort to ensure a balanced representation in current affairs programmes.

Joseph Scicluna
Chairman
Broadcasting Authority

The contribution by Matthew Vella, “Gozo Bishop lays down the law over feuding Victoria band clubs”, (23 September 2007) is a classical example of what the Maltese would call mixing “hass mal-bass.”
Completely green on the Victoria situation, he mixes apples and oranges and concludes that they are one and the same. He merges together things that are irreconcilably and fundamentally different. He did this mistake three times in his write-up.
First, he related the recent appointments to what he describes as “the bitter feud over the Good Friday procession”. This feud exists only in his imagination and was settled 31 years ago, precisely on 5 March 1976. The signatories to the agreement were three committee members from La Stella an another three from Il Leone Band Clubs, and two representatives of the bishop of Gozo – Monsignors Benedict Camilleri and Salv. Debrincat. It is perfectly true that the archpriest of St George tried, unilaterally, to undo this agreement, but that’s that. It must be noted that neither Archpriest Joseph Farrugia nor his predecessor were signatory to the agreement.
Secondly, he speaks about the Good Friday procession as a “Maundy Thursday tradition”. This is simply risible.
Thirdly, he affirms that the bishop’s “family enjoys connections to the “La Ljun (sic)”. Of course, in Maltese, we say tal-Ljun. Actually, neither the bishop nor his parents were ever members of the Committee or frequented the Society’s club more than many other people.

Joseph Apap,
Victoria

Now read this, taken from “A Chronicle of Twentieth Century Malta” by Joseph Bonnici and Michael Cassar (page 428).
“Eight Church secondary schools are closed by the government and placed under police surveillance… The association representing parents of children attending private schools is adamant that children will attend church schools with or without licences. Dr Mifsud Bonnici (prime minister) asserts that ‘we have the right to take to the streets to defend the law’… a crowd causes extensive damage to the Curia at Floriana and the Law Courts in Valletta”.
Readers do know that the Curia is situated exactly opposite the police headquarters! Back to page 428: “A demonstration on September 21 which is supported by the PN was dispersed by the police, tear gas being used for the first time in Malta… a bomb with a half burnt fuse was discovered on (sic) the archbishop’s residence… The (teachers’) strike is extended by another three days... that evening unknown persons break into the MUT headquarters… schools are manned by non-striking teachers and some 300 volunteers who were later awarded certificates and medals… the CMTU called a one-day strike in support of teachers… the GWU condemned it… A report by the International Commission criticised the government for ‘tacit tolerance if not provocation of violence against the courts, the Church and the press”.
Do not say that you have not been warned!

Giov. DeMartino
Mosta

 

1) Polls are worthwhile before election fever sets in. When the election date is known then the electricity and euphoria gathers momentum which keeps raising high hopes among the voters of each party. However, the results and objectives achieved by the party finally give the obvious winner a desired victory.
Victor Sammut
2) Well done for your survey. You are honest people and please keep telling the public the truth, no matter who is on top.
Maria Spiteri

Alfred Sant's speech to his followers in Birzebbuga not only showed no class, but left those who listened to him doubting his state of mind.
Dr Sant not only embarrassed his country, but led many of his followers to have serious doubts whether he should stay on as their leader.
How can one trust Labour with governing, when visions turn into nightmares? How can they trust Dr Sant who tried to ridicule the Prime Minister while aspiring to take Dr Gonzi's place in the near future?
Dr Sant holds his office through iron-fisted tactics, not realising that his tenure has been steadily eroding and the more antics such as those exhibited on Independence Day he adopts, the greasier will the pole he so desperately seek to climb be.
The only appeal I would make to Dr. Sant is: “Please stop insulting our intelligence”.

Joe Martinelli
Ontario, Canada

 

Reference is made to a report carried in last Sunday’s issue of Malta Today  entitled “Greens apply for television broadcasting licence and issue tender for management of station”.
The report quotes AD chairman Dr Harry Vassallo as saying that “We already have a track record of how we managed our radio station in the past nine years”. For the sake of clarity, the management of the station would like to state that Capital Radio is an independent and commercial station, and does not have any connections whatsoever with any political party.
Capital Radio has been the property of Capital Communications Ltd, a subsidiary company of Mediacoop Ltd, since August 2005.

John Mallia
Managing Director,
Mediacoop Ltd

26th frame Limited makes reference to the article entitled “PBS – why can’t it live up to its name?” by columnist Anna Mallia, published last Sunday 30 September.
As directors of the company, we would like to underline our extreme disgust and surprise at the columnist’s remarks, particularly her comment stating that “PBS has been hijacked by… 26th frame.” Such comments reflect the absence of a professional approach by your columnist, clearly attempting to initiate a mudslinging campaign whilst at the same time insinuating incorrect facts to her readers.
Anna Mallia continues that “…so that only those who have the money can make it there.” In this case, too, 26th frame Limited expresses its surprise at such infantile comments and kindly asks her to elaborate further.
It is clear that Mallia is also missing out on the qualitative aspect of our productions, for which 26th frame has been acclaimed in the past. At the same time, as directors of the company we invite her to our offices in order to present her with a state of financial affairs arising from these productions. We are sure that Mallia, who is not a television person, and therefore has no idea of expenses and revenues in this sector, has made a genuine mistake, and wrongly believes that the sector is a highly revenue compensating market.
In addition to this, her comments come at a time when 26th frame was informed at the eleventh hour about a change in its prime time drama transmission day: a fact reported by MaltaToday on the same date. We cannot help but smile since it is clear that she is totally oblivious to what is happening around her and instead chooses to accuse us of “hijacking” the national station, a far cry from what the same paper that carried her piece reported on that same day.
On a different but parallel note, 26th frame is also producing a programme on One TV entitled ‘Ghal Qalbi’, to which Mallia also seems to be oblivious. Does this mean that we have hijacked most of the television stations?
Such comments, insinuations and accusations only serve to lower the credibility of Anna Mallia as an esteemed columnist and we strongly urge her to get her facts right next time before putting pen to paper. It would save her the embarrassment of stating allegations which are totally unfounded and untrue.

Alessandro Farrugia
Anouschka Grech
Charles Stroud
Directors, 26th frame Limited,
Birkirkara

Mr Philip Sandars (MaltaToday 30 September) leads readers to conclude that he is only trained as a lawyer but never had the chance to practise the law, as otherwise he would not have been so naïve to write such a letter full of incorrect assumptions as follows.
Transfer of the Ta’ Cenc from Public ownership to a foreign entity (Real Finanz) – Totally false.
Any profit from this development will be lost to the Maltese economy – Totally false.
Payment by taxpayer/voter for provisions of new roads, electric cabling, water pipes etc. – Totally false.
Overseas developer will take all the profit away – Totally false.
Details of contracts, etc: As a lawyer, as Mr Sandars claims to be, he should know at least how to get this information from the various public services.
Right of access: A right is always a right, whether to draw water from a neighbour’s well or the Constitutional right which gives the owner (Real Finanz) the right of enjoyment of its property to the exclusion of all others.
Reasoning in the same way as Mr Sandars would like readers to believe, it seems that he has never paid for any services or even paid any tax since he has been in Gozo as he is not Maltese.
Mr Sandars would do well if he spent a few minutes with a first year Maltese law student. He should do this if not for his sake, for the sake of other lawyers trained in England and Wales, who enjoy the highest respect internationally.
I also challenge Mr. Sandars to write again in this paper after he has checked the facts and apologise to the readers for wasting their time with useless and misleading information.
Mr Sandars would have been more credible if he stated that he opposes the development because he lives at the entrance of Ta’ Cenc. At least one owner of one of the existing villas at Ta’ Cenc had the decency to declare his interest and the reason for objecting to the development during the Public Hearing.

Victor J. Borg,
Real Finanz a.g.

 

I refer to Raphael Vassallo’s article "Bless my soul: no lay person worthy enough for college name".
To be perfectly honest, that old adage "What's in a name?" rather springs to mind. Not to mention the undeniable fact, as highlighted by the Education's Dept PRO, that longstanding schools named after saints are invariably referred to as just so, as opposed to those named after Maltese personalities.
One particular aspect of the same educational field your editorial might care to look into is the high cost of education in private schools here in Malta. Whilst for not one moment wishing to detract from any of the sterling service these schools provide, I am sure that many parents would appreciate how the fees paid are put to use, as well as how any resultant surplus is put to use for the students’ future benefit.

Kevin Pirotta
Swieqi

With reference to Michael Falzon’s article “A tale of two speeches” (September 30): is Michael living in Malta or on the moon?
Under the leadership of Alfred Sant the MLP has won every council election held since Lawrence Gonzi became leader of the PN, not to mention the greatest win of all: the European Parliament election.
A word of advice for Michael: wait until the next election, when Alfred Sant will lead the MLP to its biggest electoral victory in history.

Sam Marquette
Australia

Recently, I was at a tourist resort in Qawra where one of the most popular local singers was performing cabaret. His repertoire included a couple of Maltese songs. When introducing one of these songs about the "karrozzin", the singer felt that, for the sake of the foreign guests present, he should explain what his next song was about. Among other things, he said that the "karrozzini are those horse-drawn cabs; you know, the ones which are dirtying our streets!"
At first, I was shocked that this singer should bring up this messy subject with the tourists. Then I realised that it is not he who is damaging our tourist industry, but those who are flagrantly breaking the law and those who fail to enforce it by letting them get away with it.

Vincent Piccinino,
Valletta

I have just returned from the largest Elvis festival in the world, held in Porthcawl, South Wales, UK. Malta is a tiny gem of an island in the Mediterranean sea. How do the two coincide?  This little gem of an island has produced a “GEM” of a singer in the form of “Gordon Elvis Malta”!
Being one of the judges at the festival I get to see hundreds of Elvis Tribute Artists each year and I was very impressed with young Gordon, who at 22 is already paying fantastic tribute to the King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley.  
Gordon sings with ease and comfort and has the moves of a young Elvis off pat. He is fun to watch, has a great sense of humour and is extremely confident for one so young. His dynamic performances wowed both the audiences of Porthcawl and the judges, who placed him third in the competition final.
Gordon looks set to have a fantastic singing career ahead of him and we wish him every success for the future and look forward to welcoming him back to Porthcawl next year.

Terri Grant
Rock King Promotions (London)