The official chronicler

Is there still need for a Department of Information?

Mr Abela replies in the correct manner: "That would be purely a government decision. On a personal level, I would think that if the department is dismantled one would have to equip each and every ministry with all the facilities necessary to deal with the media.

"But, then, there are certain things, such as the production and publication of the Malta Government Gazette, that have to be disseminated via the internet in real time. At least two editions of the gazette are published weekly.

"Additionally, there is the 153 inquiry service run by the department which offers information to the public on departments and public entities and the services they offer. This service receives about 7,000 calls a month.

"It is a pity that, more often than not, people phone 153 just to ask for telephone numbers when the service is really meant to provide a lot more information about government entities and services, such as what one would require to apply for a passport or a birth or death certificate and how to apply for social services.

"If the DOI were to go, there would have to be another set up. The DOI website is not the website of the Office of the Prime Minister.

"The website offers details about the government, about Bills and Acts of Parliament and legal notices, among other things. The service is free of charge and so is the online version of the Government Gazette. National events and government activities have to be recorded textually and photographically.

"This calls for uniformity, as does the compilation of press releases. For example, which department would be able to organise and cater for facilities (such as the setting up and running of the media centre) for the journalists who will be covering the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November?"

In 2001, the Management Efficiency Unit carried out an exercise on the DOI. The unit concluded that if the department were to be eliminated, the disadvantages would be the loss of goodwill the DOI generated over the years, Mr Abela explained.

"Another negative aspect would be the duplication that would ensue had each ministry to develop and market its own information-dissemination systems.

"And, thirdly, the existing framework embracing the overall management and coordination of government corporate information gathering and communication requirements would be lost.

"The decision was made to restructure the department into three main sections, incorporating the core activities of the department. This would lead to more flexibility and versatility, better streamlining and enhanced coordination, thus creating a management type of organisation.

"This change has led to a number of innovations including making better use of the internet and, in fact, press releases and legal notices are posted online in real time. Going by the digital revolution, speeches such as those made in press conferences by the Prime Ministers and visuals are also broadcast over the internet.

"The department also posts on its website scholarship applications, employment opportunities - including for EU posts - and calls for tenders issued by both the government and local councils. Legal notices that include EU directives are in demand because the directives become effective once a legal notice is published.

"Another service is the compilation of 16 volumes of legal notices on CD which is accompanied by a booklet giving the contents. The DOI has been providing copies of by-laws by local councils since 2002 too.

"By 2003 all the employees at the department were computer literate and all have their own e-mail address. Digital photography was initially introduced during the second visit to Malta by Pope John Paul II in May 2001 and the DOI photographers made miracles using only digital camera available.

In yesterday's article, it was mistakenly stated that the DOI introduced digital photography during the Pope's first visit to Malta in 1990.

"Following a transitional period, during which the six DOI photographers were trained in new skills and provided with digital kits, the department shifted to full digital operations last year."

Pictures taken by DOI photographers are posted on the website daily and one can order copies and get them four days later. The picture gallery dates back to September 2000.

The department has an archiving system in place, put together with the help of MITTS, that combines the event with the pictures. This means, Mr Abela explains, that one can key in the details and the coverages connected with a particular event will come up.

The forthcoming CHOGM is quite a feat for the DOI, especially because between 600 and 800 reporters are expected to converge on Malta, a lot more than the press corps that was here for the Bush-Gorbachev summit, the visit by the Pope or the EU referendum, when 100 journalists visited Malta.

"The DOI would have to produce copies of all the communiqués and make them available to all the journalists. Not to mention the photographs and films that will have to be taken and then passed on to other news media. One would have to see to the hiring of editing suites and offices. Broadcasting will be in the hands of Globecast International, a firm based in South Africa, that has the experience of previous CHOGMs," Mr Abela explains.

It is evident he and his staff at the DOI have their hands full.

The DOI is holding an exhibition at St James Cavalier called Flashback from the Past which includes about 60 photos from its archives depicting historical and socio-cultural events, government activities, the Presidents of Malta and a large number of old views showing scenes from everyday life. The exhibition will run till October 9.

(Concluded)