James A. Tyrrell, N. Ireland
Why was photographer taken to police station for questioning?
I have read the story about the photographer Graham Cooper who was taken to a police station for questioning after taking a photograph of Siggiewi mayor Robert Musumeci talking to a Malta Environment and Planning Authority board member in a car park (The Sunday Times, January 4, 2009). Has Malta now become a police state?
There is more to this than meets the eye. Surely, a public figure like Mr Musumeci does not need police protection every time a photo is taken of him.
So what was Mr Musumeci's reason for getting the police to take Mr Cooper to the police station and have the photo he took confiscated?
In Mr Musumeci's own words, "He was in my face, invading my territory." "I asked for protection from the State." Protection from what? One guy with a camera?
The fact that Mr Musumeci reacted in this way may give the impression that he has something to hide.
Is it considered usual and ethical in Malta for architects to consult with members of boards that have just adjudicated cases they were involved in?
This is like a judge walking off his podium and consulting in the law courts with one of the lawyers of the case, something that is (hopefully) unthinkable. Even if they were not discussing the case, it is a case of "Justice has to be done and has to be seen to be done".
The story also reflects poorly on the Mepa board member. A search through the Mepa website shows only one Floriana case last week, towards the beginning of the session.
Are we to understand that the board member abandoned the hearing of other cases in order to talk to Mr Musumeci?
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laurence schembri
Jan 18th 2009, 23:22
James, maybe Graham forgot to shout `say cheese please`. We are very touchy, you ought to know that.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 18th 2009, 17:55
Mr Musumeci, is a public figure and I think he is fair game to reporters! He lost some privacy when he got elected, as that goes with the job. This incident should be seriously investigated by the government and also the police superintendent. The whole incident as reported, does not justify a trip to the police station. Is Mr Musumeci abusing his power? Politics as usual.
Joseph Sammut
Jan 18th 2009, 16:12
This does call for questions to be answered.
The seemingly hasty action by the police does make this episode look like ongoings of a police state giving itself an unnecessarily bad image for the sake of Mr. Musumeci's.
Can the Commissioner of Police tell us why Mr. Musumeci's call for protection from a photographer was entertained when it is common knowledge that numerous requests are made regularly to local police stations to which the sargeant on duty refuses to respond on grounds of insufficient reason?
The sad thing about it all is that the police appear to have acted because it was Mr. Musumeci: and why should this be?
Can Mr. Musumeci explain why he was so upset on being photographed with a member of a MEPA board?
Can the board member in question explain what the conversation with Mr. Musumeci was about - the weather, the US president-elect, Malta's plight with illegal immigrants or a development application?
Can Dr. Gonzi, who is responsible for MEPA, look into this matter for us ordinary citizens? Can Dr. Muscat also ask questions on behalf of us ordinary citizens or do we now hibernate until the next election?
S Hargreaves
Jan 18th 2009, 15:39
Taking photographs in a public place is not a crime. Mr Musumeci had no right,neither did the Police. The least one would expect in a civilised society is for Mr Musumeci and the Police Authorities to apologise. A 'meeting without coffee' wouldn't come amiss for the Officer concerned neither.
Robert Callus
Jan 18th 2009, 15:31
@Joe Camilleri
Everyone has the right to shoot - photos - in a public place. I'm not contesting that people did not trespass your or your friends' property. It might have helped if you shot (photos) of the people in your property and called authorities immediately
Iris Azzopardi
Jan 18th 2009, 14:42
Today's London Sunday Times reported that Grace Mugabe, wife of Zimbabwe's dictator Robert Mugabe, attacked a British photographer, punching him repeatedly in the face after he took her picture in Hong Kong, where she was on a shopping trip. The Hong Kong police are considering pressing criminal charges, against Mrs Mugabe, not the photographer, that is.
Joe Camilleri
Jan 18th 2009, 12:04
@ Franco Farrugia
this happens to us hunters every year, and all with the blessing of our government. People from europe not only come to take pictures of us while practising our legitimate hobby but also trespass over private property.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 18th 2009, 10:38
And another question: would I, Franco Farrugia, who, quite unlike Musumeci, am a simple and ordinary citizen, have been given the same attention 'by the State' (read, Police!) had I asked for the same protection? A question not to be asked, perhaps!
Oh God, George Orwell all over again!