Sparrow vision

I have it all worked out - and so, apparently, have several other people, to the chagrin of most singers in Malta, including those who profess no interest in the contest... Given that Chiara is bettering her position in the Eurovision Song Contest to the power of one (now there's a good song title) each time she goes, it is logical to conclude that next year she would come first.

Some time ago, I was sent a copy of a circular addressed to producers of programmes on TVM and Radju Malta, originating from Sylvana Cristina, programme manager. The document was mainly meant as a roadmap (fashionable word, that) towards the proper treatment of "vulnerable position", viz. victims of (any type of) abuse, people with different needs, children, and the elderly.

Inter alia, one of the topics treated was "close-ups" (3.4).

We all realise how "in your face" CUs are supposed to create a feeling that the person on the screen is as near tangible as does not matter. I don't suppose for a moment that Ms Cristina was alluding to the children who flock to Education 22 studios so that they can "be on television".

Indeed, for these children it is something of a status symbol to be chosen to say a couple of words, so that their classmates and neighbours can tell them that they saw them.

This, definitely, is the supreme invasion of privacy. I believe that even if you have given your informed consent, the producers have no right to use the profound emotions you feel, as you meet your birth mother after having been told for years that she dies in childbirth, as a ploy to increase audiences.

The letter-circular, indeed, states in no uncertain terms that producers ought to do their best to avoid the use of close-ups when this could be reasonably construed as an invasion of privacy. There is also specific mention of facial disfigurement.

Who cares? In the printed press, we are still seeing photographs of the aforementioned "vulnerables" who were guests - I use the term subjectively - of programmes on television. I don't suppose photographers attached to any newspaper use their press pass to take photographs of these "vulnerable people" on the set of the programme itself; these shots must surely have been provided by those involved in the marketing of the programmes.

In one particular instance, it was reported that a tiny segment of a programme had been edited from one programme - but what about other sections, in other programmes?

The 15 minutes of fame we get from appearing on television during our "vulnerable time" may entitle us to many donations and gifts, as well as unexpected bonuses. But, surely, at the said period in our lives, we are not in a position to ponder upon the aftermath of our actions?

Another topic treated was anonymity, wherein it was stated that it was important to be such that not even the featured person's family would be able to recognise him were he to appear onscreen.

What about telling the guests themselves to respect this clause? Thrice have I happened to be in places where people who were on a show gave themselves away to all those who were close enough to eavesdrop.

Someone who spelled my name incorrectly has informed me that the incident zghir which had caused the 7 a.m. news bulletin to go out late on Radio 101 last week occurred simply because the newscaster got stuck in the lift.

Well, at least this particular person does not extol the virtues of exercise and healthy living; because last week, I was disgusted to see one of the latter category of broadcasters light up the minute he walked out of a church - where he had been attending a funeral.

People are apt to believe as Holy Writ (most of) what they hear, read, and watch on the media, even if it is pure, unadulterated twaddle. This week we were told that granny - and indeed all old wives - were 'wrong' to sprinkle a few crystals of sugar to neutralise at least some of the acid in tomato-based sauces.

This was, according to this man, because sugar itself is an acid, and thus would actually exacerbate the problem.

The sportscasters, in their turn, continue to teach their viewers and listeners the wrong pronunciations for Basle, Saint Germain, and, perhaps inevitably, Manchester.

Speaking of football; as if it were not bad enough that PBS subscribers without access to cable television had to miss out on certain matches, now that Multiplus Ltd, the new digital television service provider, has signed an exclusive agreement for the transmission of Italian Serie A matches as from the 2005/2006 season, local fans will have to rely on RAI or Mediaset to deliver the goods... for free.

And I note that the PBS "current events" programme Info is so up-to-date that as yet, no one has seen fit to insert a clip of Benedict XVI to complete the circuit of Alfred Sant, Harry Vassallo, Lawrence Gonzi, and John Paul II.... Or, perhaps, replace the 'news' clips with more recent ones. I do realise that a signature tune and introduction are what they are, but, on the Station the Nation, I expect better, nay the best.