Kurt Sansone
Black Monday should never have happened - Labour leader
Political media 'should be open to criticism'
Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday said that much more could have been done to avoid the violent events of Black Monday, insisting those acts "should never have happened".
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 was giving a public talk at the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism on the theme: "What does the politician expect from journalists".
Significantly, the talk was held yesterday on the 30th anniversary of the day - which has become known as Black Monday - when Labour thugs ransacked and burnt The Times building in Valletta and then went on to attack opposition leader Eddie Fenech Adami's family at their Birkirkara home.
Dr Muscat said his generation was born in the wake of those "wounds" and did not want those events to ever be repeated.
Former Labour minister and foundation member Lino Spiteri, in a brief comment on the events of Black Monday, said he was ashamed they were perpetrated under a Labour government and welcomed Dr Muscat's apology.
Dr Muscat also made reference to Labour-leaning journalists who suffered in the 1950s and 1960s for upholding the right to freedom of expression during colonial times and the Church's interdiction of Labour supporters.
Describing the relationship between politicians and journalists as complementary in the democratic life of a country, Dr Muscat went as far as to say that journalists served as public intellectuals.
Looking ahead, he also proposed the creation of a statute of rights for journalists to give them protection from interference by media owners. Another proposal was the creation of a regulator, which could take the form of an Ombudsman, to safeguard the rights of those the media reports about.
Dr Muscat spoke on the need for a strong media ethics commission that would be totally autonomous from the State but fully recognised by it.
With reference to the political media he said they should be open to critical views and after 18 years of pluralism it was time to reflect on how they could be a source of useful information for wider audiences.
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Dr Francis Saliba
Oct 17th 2009, 13:26
@PSchembri
Il-problema tieghek u hafna ohra bhalek hi li ma tapprezzawx il-finezza tal-ambigwita’ ta’ kliem Joseph Muscat imfassal biex kullhadd, Laburist jew Nazzjonalist, jifhem li jrid. Dak li ghall-laburisti bhalek hija “apologija” ghall-bqija tan-nazzjon ma hi xejn hlief loghob bid-diskors biex jiggustifika u jbiggel l-vjolenza tal-passat. Jipprova joghgob lill-Alla u lix-xitan. Jipprova joghgob lill-kulhadd u jispicca ma jikkuntenta lill-hadd. Din hi r-raguni li la int u l-ebda laburist iehor ma tilqghu l-isfida li tikkwotaw l-kliem preciz ta’ Muscat.
P. Schembri
Oct 16th 2009, 19:00
@Dr. Saliba. Mela kemm jaghmlu hsara kittieba bhalek lill-PN? Fejn hi l-kritika taghkom lejn il-PN? Anke fil-hazin ftfahhruh lill-partit taghkom. Kif tridu jirranga s-sitwazzjoni fil-pajjiz meta anke jekk jaghmel hazin, jew xi hadd minn-naha tal-Gvern jizbalja, ittuh ragun. Hallina Dr. Saliba. U ghall-informazzjoni tieghek, jekk tqalleb sew fid-diskors ta' Joseph Muscat, issib li TALAB apologija fil-parlament ghan-nuqqasijiet li kellu u ghall-atti li wettaq l-MLP tul l-amministrazzjonijiet Laburisti. Issa ghidli fejn il-PN talab apologija lill-laburisti.
Dr Francis Saliba
Oct 16th 2009, 18:35
@JamesGrech,
I am not “tied down” by my own travails at the hands of the MLP police and politicians “during those times”. I have been vindicated. I am terrified that your “wind of change” will be a reversion to those horrible days. To me deeds are much important than words. The perpetrators of that violence are being welcomed back into the top ranks of the PL and I find that prospect very scary indeed!
GiovDeMartino
Oct 16th 2009, 18:22
And what about the several requisitioned houses which were passed over to the MLP to use as Kazini?
Dr Francis Saliba
Oct 16th 2009, 18:18
@PSchembri Joseph Muscat ma talab l-ebda “skuza lill-poplu Malti meta dahal l-ewwel darba fil-Parlament”. Hu wera dispjacir ghall-izbalji li l-MLP kien ghamel. Imma taf ghaliex? Ghaliex dawk l-izbalji ghallmu lill-poplu Malti li jekk ried il-paci kellu jikkonsenja lill-MLP fil-bankijiet tal-oppozizzjoni fejn ghadu sal-lum. U zgur li jiddispjacih! Kittieba bhalek, u hemm hafna minnhom, huma ta’xkiel ghall-PL u ghal Joseph Muscat ghax jifthu ghajnejn il-poplu li ghad ma wasalx iz-zmien li jafda t-tmexxija tal-pajiz lill-PL.
c. camilleri
Oct 16th 2009, 17:04
@ LIno Spiteri. You should be ashamed more because you like the rest of the Labour Ministers and MPs did nothing to stop the rampage which had become institutionalised during labour term of office. Remember this day was not an isolated occurrence but was a major one in a long chain of destruction which included Nationalist's clubs, the ransack of the M U T Headquarters, cars belonging to opposition MPs , Nationalist supporters' private residences, organised disruption of Nats's meetings, beating of Nats' supporters, discrimination at the place of work, discharges from work for obeying unions' directives,
frame ups, not to mention the systematically torture at the depot resulting in one death. What did you do to stop all these heinous activities? What did the police do to catch the culprits which are known to this day? Who stopped the police from doing their duties? Yes Lino you together with your colleagues have a lot to do clear your conscience not just by saying "i am ashamed"
Dr Francis Saliba
Oct 16th 2009, 16:24
@e.cortis
I am not sure I catch you drift. At which point was your nameless one an “aristocrat” of the workers’ movement? What did he do exactly as a “ringleader at the Dockyards” and what is wrong with “wearing jackets and ties” and “carrying a briefcase”? Was he one of those beaten up at the Dockyards after the Mnarja incidents? I asked for elucidation not obfuscation.
Josef Muscat
Oct 16th 2009, 15:58
@ C. Lia - l-id tal-hbiberija ghandha tkun pronta dejjem. Izda ha nghidlek wahda, siehbi. Il- PL, mieghu u f'postijiet strategici ghad ghandu dawk in-nies li 30 sena ilu iggustifikaw dawk l-affarijiet. Xi whud minnhom jekk jitla' l-Partit Laburista ikunu Ministri. Iccekkja ghal-affari teighek u ghidli nistax QATT nafda lil dawn in-nies. Skuza BISS mhux bizzejjed. Jekk skond il-Leader tieghek dawn l-affarijiet qatt ma messhom sehhew ( u qal sewwa ) dawk li kienu partecipi fihom b'mod dirett jew indirett ghandhom ikunu IMWARRBA. Hemmhekk il-PL jibda jkun kredibbli.
N.Calleja
Oct 16th 2009, 15:45
What a beautiful sermon Dr.Muscat. I think he practiced it during a special meeting with One News journalists!! It's going from bad to worse despite the codes of ethics and post election reports. Practice what you preach please!
John Carmel Navarro
Oct 16th 2009, 15:08
I think the issues concerned are always going to be a non win situation for whoever tries to repair oceans that divides our main Political Parties. Mr Muscat’s apology might not heal altogether the hurt that happened thirty years ago, 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 involvement by the Church which fuelled much of the hatred in those bleak times. I stand to be corrected I cannot remember the Church ever apologizing about the ‘Interdet’. Journalist have an employer, they are answerable to whoever pays their wages, therefore there is conflict of interest 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 read all the newspapers and in the end make up my own mind as to who I believe. The Media is an integral part of our society and we cannot live without it.
Tonio Farrugia
Oct 16th 2009, 15:02
As a general comment I do welcome Joseph Muscat's apology but I think that he was not courageous enough in his approach. This is because he seems to be attributing the shameful events of the 70s and 80s to people that 'used the labour party and then threw it away'. The message here is that 'listen guys, what happened was not something coming from the MLP but from people who had a hidden agenda'. I am completely against this line of thought as a lot of events had the blessing of the high ranking MLP officials. We all know the character, approach and the way of doing things of certain people within the MLP! So please, call a spade a spade and attribute the 70s and 80s events to the MLP and it's leaders.
Joseph B. fenech
Oct 16th 2009, 13:41
A most welcome statement. Well done Joseph. But, having experienced 1979 and between 1981 and 1987 I can still observe countless PL members still very much present. Most of them, also, with high aspirations of being ministers. DOING WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE WHO HARMED THE COUNTRY AND PL WILL BE ANOTHER STEP FURTHER FOR A MORE CREDIBLE PARTY. Because, honestly I cannot imagine certain PL members speaking about democracy, plurarism etc etc.
Joseph Cauchi
Oct 16th 2009, 13:40
It is very recommendable that the Leader of the Opposition has expressed his regret at what happened on Black Monday of the 15th. October, 1979 by the gutting of the Times of Malta!
However, it would be more appreciable if he, as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the M.L.P. were to make an OFFICIAL APOLOGY at the highest institution of the land, i.e. the House of Representatives!
That would be very near to the real scope of the question!
JC.
Joe Vella
Oct 16th 2009, 12:34
Once again Joseph Muscat is talking from both ends of his mouth. From one side he is saying that events of October 15, 1979 "should never have happened"; and yet he is inviting and welcoming back with open arms into the PL those who perpetuated these events.
James Grech
Oct 16th 2009, 12:15
@Dr. Francis Saliba
Even though you seem to have been affected by the acts perpetrated during those times, in my opinion, you are too much tied down to those events and you don't seem to realise that things change, and from what Dr. Muscat said and done already, for the better, as well. Your stated opinions are very much biased and do not take into consideration other important facts and situations that brought about the events during those times. Remember that thugs could be found in both parties, during those days. What about the instigations which were subtlely used by the PN of those days? Who were those ppl labelled "tal-gakketta blue"? what was their role? and many many other aspects which have gone unmentioned. But it is no use at all to go on turning stones now, when PL and its administration is showing such political maturity as to go to lengths to appoligise, not once, but twice. The wind of change is here again.
P. Schembri
Oct 16th 2009, 12:13
@Dr. Saliba. Joseph Muscat wera triq tal-hbiberija meta talab skuza lill-poplu Malti meta dahal l-ewwel darba fil-Parlament. Issa jonqos li Gonzi f'isem il-PN jitlob skuza lill-dawk il-Maltin li fis-Sittinijiet gew itturufnati l-barra minn pajjizna (li allajbierek il-maggoranza taghhom kienu laburisti), lill-dawk kollha li ndifnu fil-Mizbla minghajr sagrament u lill-dawk kollha li ghax kienu ta' twemmin Laburista, inghataw transfers bl-addocc. Barra minn hekk jitlob skuza wkoll ghal dawk il-laburisti li gew maqbuza perezempju meta kienu jinghataw jew promozzjonijiet, kmamar tal-banju bhala forma t'ghajnuna fis-60's. Hemm hafna x'jissemma. Barra l-vjolenza psikologika, u anke fizika li hafna laburisti ghaddew mminha fl-istess zmienijiet. Meta tintalab din l-iskuza, hemmhekk biss nistghu nghidu li qbadna t-triq gha-rikonciljazzjoni. Il-bqija kollu shab fl-ajru se jibqa, u l-ebda festa nazzjonali mhi se tghaqqadna.
e.cortis
Oct 16th 2009, 11:54
@Dr.Francis Saliba. One such person, was a ring leader at the Dockyards, found himself wearing jackets and ties, carrying a briefcase and transferred ta a PN minister's secretariat !!!
joseph magro
Oct 16th 2009, 11:47
I BELIEVE THAT DR.MUSCAT IS AN HONEST MAN BUT THE MALTESE NOW ARE WAITING FOR SOME RESIGNS FROM BOTH PARTIES.
J.M.
T. Mallia
Oct 16th 2009, 11:41
Dear Dr. Muscat,
As a nationalist, I would like to thank you for your appology. It takes true courage to accept that one was wrong and appologise. Keep up this sort of attitude of leading by example, and you will definatly gain the trust of many more people.
Dr Francis Saliba
Oct 16th 2009, 11:23
@CLia
L-id tal-hbiberija naccettha bil-qalb kollha imma nghodd subghajja kemm qabel kif ukoll wara!
J. Schembri
Oct 16th 2009, 11:21
Too little too late .
Better late than never .
Joseph can never be connected to what happened 30 years ago .The protagonists of those times are still alive and kicking in our political arena .Some even made a comeback.
Only yesterday an MLP ex-minister tried to tone down the premeditated attack on this paper with these very words : "the perpetrators of these reprehensible events were loose cannons, not even remotely connnected to anyone in Government."
Action speaks louder than words what is he going to do with" those who used the Labour Party and then threw it away, leaving it stained with their misdeeds". I can see a lot of them hanging around the new LP leader.
The carefully placed words uttered byJoseph cannot heal this wound by themselves.
Vincent Borg
Oct 16th 2009, 11:20
This Honorable Statement was stated for the SECOND TIME.
1st time when he became Leader. (For those who have short memory)
and
2nd time Yesterday.
g. scerri
Oct 16th 2009, 11:19
The PL leader's comments are commendable. Where I have doubts is with the use of the word "journalists" and therefore Joseph Muscat's appeal to them to provide an intellectual stimulus. Malta doesn't have journalists. Malta has reporters and commentators and most of the latter write to a given agenda. Really independent voices which could act as national arbiters are practically beyond sight and sound.
P. Schembri
Oct 16th 2009, 11:05
@C. Lia. National Reconciliation is for those who can profit from it. These last three days were a prime example of national reconciliation.
Dr Francis Saliba
Oct 16th 2009, 11:02
"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”.(Joseph Muscat)
Further elucidation would be very much appreciated please. Who exactly are those people “who used the Labour Party and then threw it away, leaving it stained with their misdeeds”? As one who, without any doubt, was grievously hurt by those people what assurance have I got that they are not among those people now being welcomed back within the fold of the MLP/LP even at the very top?
e.cortis
Oct 16th 2009, 10:54
"With reference to the political media he said they should be open to critical views....". Well said, Dr.Muscat. This should open your eyes to what is happening in pro-PL media. Whenever I send "critical views" about PL policies or changes of same, or even dare to mention some "sacred cows" roaming the PL's headquarters, I'm unceremoniously censored !!. I write back and tell them to GROW UP. Unfortunately, no replies are forthcoming, because deep inside they know people like me are right. However, I wish to add that this is no prerogative of the pro-PL media. It is widespread. A real pity, to say the least. Constructive criticism should be accepted and encouraged. Only good can come out of it. Leaders... We do not need the usual blah blah blahs.........Action please.
C.Sammut
Oct 16th 2009, 10:32
An honourable statement.
C. Lia
Oct 16th 2009, 10:14
Haga ta` l-iskantament hadd mill-qarrejja tat-Times ma kkummenta fuq din l-ahbar dalghodu. Il-bierah ghall-kuntrarju ibbumbardjaw is-site bil-kummenti. Xhieda ta` kemm, 30 sena wara, hawn min jipprova jistrumentalizza l-vjolenza. Hawn min ma jridx l-id tal-hbiberija.