Black Monday - Muscat repeats apology
The scene outside Strickland House - home of The Times - after the attack of October 15, 1979.
Organisations which represented journalists, political parties and stakeholders should work together to create a better reality for society, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this evening.
Speaking coincidentally on the 30th anniversary of Black Monday - when The Times building was burned down - Dr Muscat said those incidents should never have taken place.
The events of October 15, 1979 did not weaken the politicians or the institutions that suffered the attacks, he said, but the perpetrators and the politicians who in people’s eyes represented them.
“When I was elected Labour leader I made a historic apology to all those who may have been hurt by the actions of those who used the Labour Party and then threw it away, leaving it stained with their misdeeds.
“I repeat this today, 30 years after Black Monday, because I honestly believe that all people of goodwill agree with me that these were acts that should have never happened and much more could have been done to avoid them,” he said.
Dr Muscat made his comments at a public talk organised by the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism. He said that the time had come to implement courageous measures which would lead to the maturity of the media in Malta.
Dr Muscat said journalists expected politicians to be honest partners in their consistent search for the truth. They expected politicians to permit them to take part in the process of building an equal society.
The same counted for politicians. The current generation of politicians expected honest journalists who did not have any hidden agendas and who placed the interest of society first and foremost.
So a new basis with the necessary structures to help politicians and journalists tear away from what hindered them in the past and help them built a society which a European country deserved was needed.
Journalists and politicians had a complementary role and faced common challenges.
Both competed to retain the public’s attention, both had to understand better the new realities of Maltese society which was becoming all the more complex, both were facing scepticism and less confidence from the people, both were adapting to new technology and both needed to communicate the European reality.
Dr Muscat said that his party insisted on a reform to public broadcasting which should not have any hidden agendas. But journalists within this service still operated in a defective system.
Although this had to be financially viable, it also had an obligation to society and the duty to be above politics. Public broadcasting had the duty to be above commercial pressures.
Politicians and other stakeholders should sit around a table to find a solution. Politicians could embark on their discussions in a House select committee but an agreement which involved everyone, and not just politicians, had to be reached.
The Labour leader called for the strengthening of the Freedom of Information Act and said laws had to be changed so that access to government information would increase.
A serious Whistleblower Act was needed and the dangerous mentality to hunt people who uncovered abuses had to be changed.
Journalists, Dr Muscat said, could only be credible if they were ethical.
Ethics implied responsibilities but also gave one rights, he said.
Malta needed a strong Media Ethics Commission which, although totally autonomous from the state would enjoy state recognition, the Labour leader said.
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John Carmel Navarro
Oct 16th 2009, 12:02
I think that the issues concerned are always going to be a non win situation for whoever tries to repair the ocean that divide our main Political Parties. Mr Muscat’s apology might not heal altogether the hurt that happened thirty years ago, but at least it gives hope for the future. The History of freedom is unfortunately build on similar despicable events the world over. One just cannot forget the involvement of the Church that fuelled much of the hatred in those bleak times. I stand to be corrected but did the Church ever apologize about the ‘Interdet’. Journalist have an employer they are answerable to whoever pays their wages, therefore there is never going to be a change in the ethics of reporting for one side or the other. I am intrigued how all of a sudden out comes the issues surrounding Net and One TV station’s, I selectively enjoy to watch both as they are far superior to TVM. I selectively read all the newspapers, in the end make up my own mind who I believe. The Media is an integral part of our lives and I go as far as saying we cannot live without it.
J Brincat
Oct 16th 2009, 11:54
@Kevin Borg
Statement coming obviously from a blinkered view.
Adrian Cachia
Oct 16th 2009, 11:29
Net News - News mill-Genna
One News - News mill-Infern
TVM - I started to believe that they are trying to minimise the time allocated to politics.
Sandro Pace
Oct 16th 2009, 11:25
Though no fan of the PL (at least not yet), I admire this apology from Dr. J. Muscat as a very genuine and a mature step forward. Genuine Maltese people would not even dream of reliving those political terror days even with all the social benefits in the world, except perhaps those who would gain from such acts.
The rest is rhetoric. No Party media is devoid of petty political journalism. Though not the prime of journalistic finesse, with their wordly arsenal they keep society informed on the wrongdoings of each other. A good watchdog and society still well served.
Count your blessings for this highly pluralistic environment. Any abuse is dealt by the laws of infamy.
M. Busuttil
Oct 16th 2009, 11:14
When you did'nt receive an apology you moaned, when you received a repeated apology you still moan??
What else can J. Muscat do....have a time machine and go back? It's part of the past all we can do is remember so that it never happens again. Even whoever goes in prison has a second chance!!
So stop it trying to fear people with ghosts of the past. Though if you're blindfolded there's little to do ux Mr. J Micallef
Tony Cilia Pisani
Oct 16th 2009, 11:03
Why people complain because Dr. Muscat apologised for what actually happened when he was 5 years old. He is apologising on behalf of his party.If he decided not to apologise all you diehards who are complaining would confirm that Joe Muscat is of the same folk of the Mintoffian era. Please decide once and for all.....I would hope and expect that one day any Ministers from the nationalist field would apologise for all the actions that occured during the era of placements of bombs throughout the Island.
About time somebody wakes up and explain to the 'Man in the Street" why we have to survive the continous conflcting of half truths from both parties, when it comes to broadcasting,newspapers and day to day press releases. It is a complete disgrace to anyone intelligence. One newspaper pictures Malta as on the verge of total collapse and next morning will be Doomsday while the other newspaper pontificates as Malta is heaven on Earth and the next morning money can be picked freely from our roads.
joanna farrugia
Oct 16th 2009, 10:58
@j micallef at least joseph made an apology now let see who have the guts between 2 leaders j micallef.as always pn never is happy what the opposition do or say.
Duncan Barry
Oct 16th 2009, 10:56
Damage has been done!
simon micallef stafrace
Oct 16th 2009, 10:44
I believe the comments by Dr. Muscat are to be seen from one simple context. The Labour Party led by him finds violence in all its forms unacceptable. History should not be allowed to repeat itself. The physical violence of Black Monday was unacceptable then as was the moral violence of the dnub mejjet unacceptabe in the sixties. We must always move on the principle that everybody has the right to his opinion whether I agree or disagree with him - this is the very essence of the rule of law which forms the backbone of our society.
Ronald Cauchi
Oct 16th 2009, 10:40
Of course SuperOne dishes out crap.And so does Net TV and anyone who expects any different is naive. After all look across the waters at Emilio Fede on rete 4. What could be more crappy than that?
What is very worrying is that TVM "l-istazzjon tan- Nazzjon" is just as good at dishing out crap.
F J Brincat
Oct 16th 2009, 10:32
LOL If crap is dished out on Super 1, what would you call the fetid bilge spewed on Net TV and sometimes even PBS?
Throughout the years, we have become quite accustomed to reading and listening to vitriol from journalists (?) who espouse the PN agenda no matter what. They are hardly objective.
I am not mentioning the contributors here - I am talking about these alleged journalists who are supposed to be bound by certain ethics.
Incredible that some people don't see that and then come and run their mouths off about credibility or lack thereof.
Nobody is snowhite pure.
C Chircop
Oct 16th 2009, 10:23
At least Joseph Muscat was courageous and mature enough to apologise publicly for what happened on Black Monday, unlike his predecessors. It's always a step forward. Nevertheless, he should go one step further and clean up his party from people who were associated with the atrocities of the 70s and 80s.
M Attard
Oct 16th 2009, 10:23
Crap in the media is not exclusive to One TV or left leaning media, especially when there is less of it there than on other newspapers and TV stations. When you have cleaned the others and made sure that they are whiter than white then that would be the time to preach to everyone else Mr.Borg. Look to your own house,why don't you?
d.attard
Oct 16th 2009, 10:02
that 'one' is sometimes an embarrasement to journalism (lately i have seen some noteable improvements - keep it up) is not a reflection on 'one' but on the communication culture in malta. Others are as or even more embarrasing still.
here dr muscat is pleading for a communications culture that answers to the needs of a modern society. This should not be too hard to achieve as we are among the last from the western world yet to make the desired leap.
We can esaily adjust to what has been achieved by others in this field. This is another progressive (cliche indeed but a necessary one in such an outdated and painfully conservative and close-minded society) call by dr muscat, and it is a pity that such an obvious need still finds those who want to ridicule it.
Mario Bonnici
Oct 16th 2009, 09:58
@ Kevin Borg
What about Net News Mr. Borg??!!
Salvu Felice Pace
Oct 16th 2009, 09:52
Joseph Muscat's apology for Black Monday will only be believed if he embraces justice. No one from the Labour Party has ever suggested that the PL itself should offer some form of compensation to the victims of those terrible events. So many lives destroyed, so many resources wasted. Muscat knows how to repair some of the damage. Give back to their rightful owners properties requisitioned by Labour governments. In Victoria the Local Council and the Culture Dept have to work in crammed conditions when the PL wallows in a government property which is also used for commercial purposes. Pensioners could have had a better standard of living if they were able to sell their confiscated properties. But we do know where J M stands. The Siggiewi case shows how talk is cheap. JM talks the talk but he is unwilling to walk the walk. Once JM offered me a space on his Maltastar. Yet whenever I sent anything to the e-paper hardly ever appeared. And then there is the Pembroke property which will probably end up being repaired by the taxpayer. Let's wait and see. As for all the virtues of journalistic ethics, it's a case of 'doctor heal yourself'.
D.Agius
Oct 16th 2009, 09:37
Some persons try to give the impression that net news or the PN's media is somehow more ethical than the PL's. I think that this assumption is in fact the real joke! I guess that such persons either do not follow net TV at all or are unable to see any crap or unethical behaviour out of their own house. Hypocrisy is the word!
Christian Azzopardi
Oct 16th 2009, 09:35
There you go. ANOTHER public apology. Now come next year and start grumbling again that the PL never made an apology for those horrendous mistakes.
tony abela
Oct 16th 2009, 09:31
The blogs so far are prejudical against one side of journalism, as if the NET Journalists sre virgins and perfect in their ethics. So is the News Room of PBS mapulated with political appointments well known for their believes.
With this bloggers mentality, Malta will never have a chance to progress forward amongst its European partners.
Please, give us a break!
Vladmir C Forte
Oct 16th 2009, 09:30
Who should apologize to all those people who died thinking that because they were Socialist they are going straight to Hell ? ?
Who should apologize to all those people who died and weren't given a proper decent burial because they were Socialist ? ?
The good news to all those who dislike Socialist is that the New Labour DID loose its roots. I condemn any act of violence but all this was just collateral damage by a number of people. The wrong place at the wrong time. This does not include the other 49% aprox of the population who voted for MLP at that time.
Ghalfejn niskuza ruhi ghal xi haga li ma' ghandiex x'naqsam maghha Dr Muscat ? ?
Ivan Scicluna
Oct 16th 2009, 09:28
What a bit of fresh air hearing Joseph Muscat apologising for past grievances performed by Labour sympathisers! Joseph Muscat is growing in statesmanship everyday. He's moving ahead without letting anybody or anything hinder him from what he wants to do. His outright condemnation of Black Monday of 30 years ago and with his declaration that much more should have been done not to let those obscenities happen gives credibility to the young politician aspiring to lead the country in a new political era. He continues to gather around him forward looking Maltese from all generations who are eager to break with the past and move ahead. He's leading a progressive movement indeed, embracing people from all walks of life, with different opinions and allegiances. Keep up the good work, Joseph.
Joe Muscat
Oct 16th 2009, 09:22
So First we want apologies and when we get an apology it's not enough. These are the people who wanted a national reconsiliation....as long as people bow their heads and do as THEY say..... YES MASTER!!!!!....Oh...get a life! What a bunch of cry babies....Move on.....stop living in the past.....Life is too short.....deal with today's problems if you have the guts....stop trying to alienate people......Those horrible acts happened 30 years ago......It's over....Sorry but you cannot pin Thuggery on socialists anymore...Even though, since on the subject of journalists, there were plenty of provocations during last years election.....no violence...
Bert Navarro
Oct 16th 2009, 09:09
@ Kevin Borg
Are you serious? Do you follow NET news or read In-Nazzjon? Because if what One TV dishes out is crap, the lot we hear and read from the other side is a cesspool of unmitigated drivel.
S. Schembri
Oct 16th 2009, 08:59
Can't you all just shut up and accept this once again repeated apology??? What's done is done and no one can turn back the time so there's no need to continue writing vicious & spiteful comments.
Alvin Borg
Oct 16th 2009, 08:56
It's refreshing to see politicians apologise when needed
Ronald Camilleri
Oct 16th 2009, 08:53
@ Kevin Borg
Who says the truth then?? NET TV maybe??
They don't "dish" out crap??
Imho both One and Net view news from their own perspective. People on the other side of the fence see your news in a different manner than you do. That's all. This Doesn't mean they "dish" out crap.
It is absolutely egoistic and undemocratic to voice words in the way as you did. All news bulletins and tv programs are scrutinised by the broadcasting authority for infringments, however when a political perspective is being voiced there is no infringement.
That is why in the world we have different religions, different politics, different sports, different football teams and so forth. People choose which ones they like, whether you like it or not!!
Victor Laiviera
Oct 16th 2009, 08:52
Mr Kevin Borg, have you taken a look at the PN media lately?
It gives a whole new meaning to the word "crap" (your term, not mine).
j. cassar
Oct 16th 2009, 08:20
Good to apologies, but certain party officials and MEP's who were directly or morally responsible are still part of the PL administration or MEP's. These should be removed from any party responsibility if Joseph wants to be credible.
Kevin Borg
Oct 16th 2009, 06:37
Charity begins at home. And that is what Dr.Muscat should be doing before launching himself as the new visionary for journalism. He should first clean his own media from all the crap they dish out every day on One news and other programs. Credibility comes at a high price and is not bought and sold on the market.
Mark Cushcieri
Oct 16th 2009, 01:12
well done...it's shameful how certain journalists use their position to advance their party's propoganda...the people are fed up of such people who only spout venom and insults...no need to indicate to whom I'm referring.. she will certainly read this comment waiting like a hyena. Good Luck
Paul Borg
Oct 15th 2009, 23:56
I think that Joseph Muscat has to start from his own journalists when he said:
"honest journalists who did not have any hidden agendas and who placed the interest of society first and foremost."
I think that should be the first think to do. We want actions not only words Mr. Muscat.
J Micallef
Oct 15th 2009, 23:11
What a joke!! All this moralism from an ex-journalist of Super One. I am convinced that he beleives that the people are morons.