I am not quite sure if everyone or anyone appreciates how difficult it is to be independent or close to that. I am not certain how clear it is to anyone how frustrating it is to write about the things that matter. It is... most especially for the younger journalists who still have a life ahead of them; not someone like me who has nothing to lose and has seen the colours of the rainbow. Today, whether we like or not, the state of the media in Malta is pathetic. PBS is run like a Government fiefdom with no chance for independent voices, in spite of all the puerile statements by Claire Vassallo Thake – Cristina’s political appointee, who promises a revolution in public broadcasting: as hollow a promise as Gonzi’s hand on heart commitment to starting a new way in doing politics.
Then we have the radio stations, a cacophony of bad music with little in the form of debate or commentary; then the newspapers, run by people who have no interest in rocking the boat and are unwilling to tackle the real issues.
The burning themes such as the networking, favouritism and bad governance remain untouched subjects. Foremost in gatekeeping we find The Times and The Sunday Times headed by Adrian Hillman, the chap who would be very content to monopolise the whole printed media, even if it meant buying his competition and then dumping by the wayside.
In the background, the Labour leaning media remains dysfunctional and weak, plagued by a lack of direction and a lingering insecurity.
So the real crisis that persists in the Nationalist party and Gonzi’s administration are left untackled. And if they are debated or criticised, the individuals who raise are labelled as Labourites or mad.
So it follows that for a number of years Gonzi’s acolytes (headed by Edhar Galea Curmi, the most disliked guy in the cabinet) attempted to portray this newspaper as a Labour extension, a sort of Kullhadd in English, and me as a stooge.
Thankfully I do not need Edgar to pontificate about who is more Nationalist and less Nationalist. Today, Gonzi and his clan do not represent what used to be Nationalist. Today there are the Nationalists, and the GonziPN crowd – and the latter are a bunch of groupies who only care for themselves and to their advancement. To do this they think of their sponsors and their friends. They place their sycophants in key positions and they do this for only one reason and that is to remain in power for as long as is possible.
The political alternative to all this, they argue, is worse.
I could not give a hoot if it is worse – it cannot be as bad as this. I will not cast my vote for Labour or anyone else and that includes Cacopardo’s Green cornerstones; but GonziPN does not deserve to be even considered.
The man does not have it, and most of the cabinet ministers and backbenchers who talk to me concur with this idea. He is isolated, has lost control and does not know what has hit him.
I love this arid and strange country far too much to allow the Edgar Galea Curmis of this world to send it back in time.
No matter how much they try to hit out at this publishing house the better for us. Because MaltaToday and Illum are not about the newspapers or the journalists who work here tirelessly, but about a natural phenomenon.
In every society there is a voice that reflects the citizens’ concerns, a small flicker of hope in this self-conceited world of intrigue and narcissism.
It is all about the idea of free speech. Today no one is free to express his views, readers who sent in complaints about a vet to MaltaToday were faced with litigation from the vet, egged on by that Johnny-come-lately Nationalist-looking Labour candidate lawyer, Edward Zammit Lewis.
The same can be said about Evarist Bartolo’s statement in the form of an opinion about the accreditation of certain universities by a local based Maltese company. His justified comments were also met by libel actions, again fuelled by another Johnny-come-lately lawyer by the name of Noel Bartolo. Needless to say I support Bartolo’s comments that we will not be intimidated by these libel actions.
They say that lawyers have a job to do and should be respected and not mentioned in the press. If that is so, they should first see what they are doing to the idea of free speech.
To hell with all these preconceived concepts. Neil Young, that iconic rock star with a liberal streak, in a recent and rare interview with the BBC, said he plays the music that reflect his ideas and emotions and he does not expect everyone to like what he plays. But he sings and plays from his heart.
In the world of journalism, the opinion writer must play the music that needs to be played. We may not be liked or adored by the Bertu Mizzis and Joe Salibas and Jason Micallefs of this world. But to the majority of readers, we are more than justified to doing what we are doing.
So in other words, you can try to burn us out, choke us and drown us but really and truly you will not gag us.
In Handaq, next to the Airports perimeter in an air-conditioned office. Chalie ic-Caqnu lies in his armchair. His tight shirt is wet from sweat.
“Chal, Joe is here.”
“Ask him up.”
Joe Saliba enters, pats Charles Polidano on the shoulders and sits down.
“Chal, I would not worry too much about that application. I have done some talking and I think that we play our cards right there should be no problems. I spoke to someone at Kastilja and they referred me to the case officer, so things are moving.”
“Tajjeb, imma see that they keep everything under wraps ghax you know there is that p***a Debono tal-MaltaToday and he is already asking questions. Al M***** if I meet the guy I will wring his neck and hang him upside down from one of my cranes.”
Joe giggles... “U le, Chal do not react to their provocation.”
A big plump guy knocks on the door and looks at Charles Polidano, “Chal, Beppe is here.”
“Os***, I forgot about him, ask him in too.”
Beppe Fenech Adami walks into the room, his heavy weathered but leather bag banging by his side.
“Hawn Joe, how are you doing?”
“Mhux hazin.”
“More than mhux hazin, it seems.”
“Eh, I did my part, hux, issa f’idejkom.”
“Imma Joe we will need some help ta, Pawlu Borg Olivier is not coping, he does not know how to start let alone continue.”
Caqnu takes a deep sigh and then blows nervously into the thin air, it is clear sign that he needs some attention.
“Jien nahseb that Pawlu is a nice guy, but in politics you have to be like Joe: a hax***. And another thing – when you talk to Pawlu, it is like talking to the wall. Ara with Joe, he has the memory of an elephant and jiftakar kollox. And let me tell you something Bepp, Joe is like me, anzi better than me. I can’t read or write. Joe started from nothing and look at him now, he is sought after by me, Tumas (George Fenech) and Zaren. Not bad for a naggar eh!!”
They all laugh.
A mobile rings, they all look at their mobiles, but it is Charles Polidano’s.
“Min iz-z*** hu dan? HELLLOOO, HELLLOOO,... iva hawn Michael...”
It is Michael Falzon.
“Michael I cannot talk to you right now, I am with Joe, cempilli this evening. CIAO, CIAO, u TANKUU.”
Charles looks at Beppe, “They should have elected this one as leader of the MLP, mhux that altar boy from Bumarrad. “
Beppe and Joe laugh, but it is a rather artificial laugh, they know that the thing Charles Polidano likes is some appreciation for his snide remarks.
Joe’s giggling comes to an abrupt, turning to Charles he says:
“Shall we do some work, siehbi ghax that is what we are paid for.”
The mobile rings again. Polidano lifts his eyes to the ceiling.
“Haqq, it is this Franco Debono.... Haqq ****... Haqq al *****! Everyone wants me now!!”
And he takes the mobile and throws it with all his might at the dirty beige wall.
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All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
Today, whether we like or not, the state of the media in Malta is pathetic. PBS is run like a Government fiefdom with no chance for independent voices, in spite of all the puerile statements by Claire Vassallo Thake – Cristina’s political appointee, who promises a revolution in public broadcasting: as hollow a promise as Gonzi’s hand on heart commitment to starting a new way in doing politics.
