Cemetery photo shoot: Department explains
The Department of Environmental Health today referred to the current controversy over a photo shoot at Addolorata Cemetery and said that it issued a permit for photos to be taken at Addolorata Cemetery only because the applicant had declared that he...
The Department of Environmental Health today referred to the current controversy over a photo shoot at Addolorata Cemetery and said that it issued a permit for photos to be taken at Addolorata Cemetery only because the applicant had declared that he wanted to highlight the beautiful gothic architecture of the cemetery.
Referring to the letter to the editor entitled ‘Lack of respect for the dead’ carried by The Times of October 13, 2009 and subsequent articles, the department said that the photographer filed an application with the Burials Administration Unit to take photos at Addolorata and the person in charge authorised said request for October 1, 2009 only.
"Contrary to what PBS Chairperson Ms Clare Thake Vassallo stated on The Times on Friday, 23rd October 2009, it has to be pointed out that:
1.It is a procedure that photographers and members of the media are requested to obtain permission before taking any photographs;
2. A permit is granted under a number of conditions including ‘that any photographs taken in any film shot do not in any way contain anything that may be deemed objectionable’.
3. The Burials Administration Unit issued mentioned permit in good faith since applicant had verbally stated “that he wanted to highlight the beautiful gothic architecture of the cemetery,” the department said.
The department said it had offered its assistance to the Broadcasting Authority which is considering the case.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091013/letters/lack-of-respect-for-the-dead
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091022/local/production-house-says-it-meant-no-disrespect-in-cemetery-photo-shoot