Christian Peregin
KSU president refuses to read banned story
Communications Department head defends police action
The president of the University Students' Council (KSU) does not want to read the story at the centre of a student newspaper ban on campus because "whatever I say makes no difference".
Law student Carl Grech, 20, believes this is a legal issue and it is up to the police and the courts to decide whether the publication of Realtà is illegal or not.
"This is not just an issue of freedom of speech. I'm sure if they find no legal problems the ban will be lifted," he said, adding KSU would not speak about the issue until it was decided in court.
Mark Camilleri, the editor of the publication and a 21-year-old history student, is facing a maximum of three months imprisonment and a fine because, if arraigned, he will be charged with obscene libel, defined as "injuring public morals or decency".
Mr Camilleri was interviewed by the police on Sunday when he was asked for his opinion about whether the article was obscene or not.
His small radical left-wing newspaper was removed from the University campus on the instructions of rector Juanito Camilleri who filed a police report after being alerted to the publication by the University chaplain.
The author of the contentious story, Alex Vella Gera, a 36-year-old novel writer based in Brussels, had said he was amazed by the extreme reaction to the story.
He chose to publish it at the University because he expected the readers would be mature and intelligent enough to get the message behind the story: the pathetic mentality of some men who see women as objects.
When contacted, the head of the Communications Department at the University, Fr Saviour Chircop, did not defend the publication.
He said the story was not literature because even controversial literature, like the book Lolita, dealt with much deeper human emotions, while this was just about a "cowboy" and its descriptions could be offensive, especially to parents of young daughters.
There were also legal implications to be considered and he feared the students involved in Realtà did not keep this in mind before publishing.
"I can't just go in the street and say anything I want. If we all do that there will be huge chaos," he said, adding it was not necessarily legal to offend, even though he admitted he was not particularly offended by the story.
He argued that even the BBC warned about explicit material because there was a concept of "good taste" that had to be given its due importance. He felt the story's message was too subtle unless it was simply intended to shock.
Fr Chircop also found no problem in the reaction of the police because the newspaper was published and distributed: "If I injure society, I have to deal with society. The author has offended the sentiments of the public. I have no problem with you challenging things but you have to do it with taste. Why do we need this kind of message?"
The head of the English Department, Ivan Callus was less judgmental and did not pronounce himself in favour or against the ban.
He said the absoluteness of the freedom of artistic expression would always be debated and might be conditioned by considerations involving audience and the vehicle of the message.
He made a distinction between the aesthetics of shock and the politics of shock: "The politics of shock is going to appear like tiresome theatre if the work in question is not supremely significant aesthetically."
He said what was perhaps most interesting about this debate was the "numbing predictability" of it all. He felt there was still a tendency in Malta to equate the aesthetics of shock with indulgence in the artistic transcription of vulgarity and in the representation of the sordid.
"My own view is the aesthetics of shock in 21st century literary (and other) art is more effective when prompted by experiments with form rather than indulgence in content," he said.
The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), the Journalists' Committee and the Malta Youth Press have come out against the ban.
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Bernard Galea
Nov 20th 2009, 11:33
@jessica DeBattistia,
It is interesting how you are taking a stance as to the taste or otherwise of the work without even having read it. Read the work, make up your mind. If you do not like it, put it down and (publicly and openly if you wish) comment as to how weak you thought the work was. If you are, by your own admission, blasé, then please.. spare us the conservative platitudes. Stick to the literature and art forms you enjoy. Let others indulge in the art forms they enjoy. As for taste, I am sure you are quite decided as to what constitutes taste or otherwise and are therefore free to live your life according to what constitutes to you, good taste. As long as you do not forcefully impose it on any person then you will be met with no objection. But please... keep it to yourself. Nobody is forcing you to read this article.. so why are you complaining?
Erin Stewart Tanti
Nov 15th 2009, 17:07
@c.scerri,
and you expect a quote from spiderman to be taken seriously? please fold up your pseudo-scholar ways and leave the discussion to people who discuss.
the fact is that in a hub of eductaion taht is the university of malta, our NATIONAL university, the freedom of speech ahs been forsaken. the freedom of speech implies the freedom to insult, offend and blaspheme as "the test of a true democracy is in its freedom of criticism".
must be be afraid to lay pen to page?
Erin Stewart Tanti
Nov 15th 2009, 16:57
outside the ksu building there is a big banner taht reads "ksu - your voice on campus"....... what a load of hypocracy... this is cowardice at its best!!!!
Philip Leone-Ganado
Nov 15th 2009, 11:45
From a judgment of the ECHR on the matter of free expression ~
Justice Sedley: "Free speech includes not only the inoffensive but the irritating, the contentious, the eccentric, the heretical, the unwelcome, and the provocative provided it does not tend to provoke violence."
And in Handyside vs UK (1976), the court held that for freedom of expression to be any freedom at all, it needed to be applicable not only to information or ideas that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also those that offend, shock, disturb.
C.Scerri@Claire Bonello
Nov 14th 2009, 09:34
I have also read the short piece and it is completely rude and crude with little or no literary value. In my opinion it was just published to cause shock. It is very strange that you as a female have not felt offended as it debases and disgraces females though in my case I also felt offended as it paints Maltese males as sex hungry individuals that only look at females as sex toys!
I think that our students need to know that (quoting Peter Parker) "With great power comes great responsibility." Also few seem to realise that these student organisation receive funds from the university's budget and thus the university is finally responsible.
d.attard
Nov 13th 2009, 23:30
a very good story that asks of our society some very important questions. It is sad that rather than dealing with so many pertinent questions, our university rushes off to the police. my full solidarity with editor and author.
Kevin Saliba
Nov 13th 2009, 23:15
@AJ Anastasi:
To be frank, I think that reactions such as yours confirm at least two points, namely that this piece has served its purpose well and that regrettably, the general level of education in Malta is next to zilch.
@Victor Laiviera:
There’s a lot of subtlety in the story. It’s all between the lines. Pity almost nobody realized. And I don’t think it’s overdone neither. He could have been cruder if he wanted to, but he didn’t. Less is more...
On a sidenote, I am very disappointed that there was no feedback about this from the Kelmet community.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 13th 2009, 22:44
I am amazed and saddened that so many commenters on this topic seem to miss the point. And the point is that freedom of speech and freedom of the press have to be defended even when - or especially when - we do not agree with what is being said. That is the only true test of our commitment to these basic human rights.
I read the story. I did not like it at all. I found it crude and the language overdone. I'm sure the author could have achieved the same effect - or even better - with more subtlety.
But I would not even dream of asking for it to be banned or censored -
AJ Anastasi
Nov 13th 2009, 19:25
I have read this disgusting story and my assessment is that it is totally sheer crass pornography. Period! Is this the way to educate our upcoming future generation by presenting them with this kind of rubbish? Rubbish should be thrown in the rubbish-bin, where it belongs. This story has been printed with the sole purpose to try and shock and not to educate and for this reason, the editor is hoping of getting the required free publicity needed. Unfortunately, he succeeded in this. Our students, the crème de la crème of our society should be regaled with dignified material and not with this kind of rubbish. This rubbish is an insult to our students’ intelligence and has nothing to do with freedom of speech. AJA.
Jessica DeBattista
Nov 13th 2009, 18:13
@ Claire Bonello: "I find it odd to see that you want to rely on other's opinions of the piece instead of reading it and making up your own mind about. Don't you trust yourself enough to be able to do this? What exactly do you mean? You think I am not in a position to make my mind up myself. You do not know me otherwise you would not think that of me. To be sure I have been exposed to too many “works” purporting to be works of art but which fall dismally short of being genuinely artistic that I am blasé about this short story that is getting so much attention. You yourself are giving me proof by saying, “ I'm not saying it's the best piece of literature around but it has its merits.........” I wonder what its merits are but you seem to hesitate to tell me. I wonder why.
matty pulis
Nov 13th 2009, 18:10
like many others i have not read the article, although one newspaper did issue part of it. what amazes me is that i had the notion that our University is supposed to be rearing and producing our future elite (for all sections of society). yet i find that a minority insist in producing crap. what is also unfortunate is that this minority are the most noisy of the lot, making it seem as if they are the majority. Note that the majority do not agree with having such people to satisfy their reading habits - there a thousands of other sources for that. why does a person in Brussels want to inform us of his perverse mind? why did he not try to issue that story in a Brussels paper? Would it have been printed fully in a Maltese paper? i am also astonished that people are mixing the action taken by police, as negative censorship. heaven forbid if illegal offensive material is left to go about as if we do not care what our children are being fed. the author should be responsible enough it would be a social disaster were even one person be influenced by his story.
Michael Seychell
Nov 13th 2009, 17:54
Keit Demicoli the President of the Youth Jounalist's body said, when interviewed by Ray Calleja on PBS, that the story/article in question starts with a clear blasphemy on the Virgin Mary, and admitted that whilst this is so common in colloqual language, and if this is correct, than it is no wonder that the University Chaplain objected to its publication. We all know that in our country it is a crime to blaspheme in puiblic, and although the Maltese are known for their blaspehming wherever they are, there were instances when the police instituted criminal charges on this issue. I am sure we all agree that it is one thing when a person looses his temper and blaspheme whilst talking, - albeit there are those who do it with every word they utter - but it is much worse when this is written, when the author is definatly totally aware of what he is writing. Furthermore each indivisual who happens to read the article/story, he is made to read such blasphemy, even if he did not actually pronounce it . I feel that this was a seriopus lapsus by both the author and the editor. Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
Joseph Schembri
Nov 13th 2009, 17:38
I read the story... I must say that I found it nothing much more than the type of language some men in village bars use. To call it 'art' needs considerable stretching of one's imagination. I would not have printed it were I the editor of the newspaper because I see no merit in it. But maybe by printing it, his newspaper has now shot to fame or notoriety. I am sure that he will not be arraigned.... or maybe the police are hard headed enough to do it.
Claire Bonello
Nov 13th 2009, 16:33
@ Jessica Debattista
Yes. I have read the short story (not article). I find it odd to see that you want to rely on other's opinions of the piece instead of reading it and making up your own mind about. Don't you trust yourself enough to be able to do this?
The story is rude and crude but not particularly offensive. The strong language and graphic scenes give it a ring of authenticity. I'm not saying it's the best piece of literature around but it has its merits.........
Rob Borg
Nov 13th 2009, 16:29
I don't suppose anyone is that interested in what the President of the KSU has to say about anything but that should not put him off reading things.
Looks like we are preparing a new generation of jokers to take over the Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse when their turn comes along.
Jessica DeBattista
Nov 13th 2009, 16:19
@ Claire Bonello: "Have you read the story in question? If not, how can you judge whether it is distasteful, outrageous, or otherwise?"
Ms. Bonello,
You seem to have read the article in question.
Can you please review it for me and tell me about its merits (artistically) or demerits, so that I will be in a better position to comment?
Thank you,
Jessica
Oscar Cassar
Nov 13th 2009, 16:14
@ A Borg
I agree with U
Jessica DeBattista
Nov 13th 2009, 16:11
Mark Camilleri, the editor of the publication and a 21-year-old history student, is facing a maximum of three months imprisonment and a fine...."
I am very much against such drastic measures as mentioned above, for enforcing the law, on something like this, would only exacerbate the antagonism against the authorities. I’m sure there are other ways how this could be tackled.
However, I still maintain that there should be good taste in the way a work of art is presented, obviously, if it is intended to be regarded as a work of art, in the first place, and not as something that verges on pornography.
Though I have not read the article in question, and have no desire to, however I have read all there was to read about it on this newspaper and I have deduced that it is an objectionable article.
What is the matter with everyone? De we have to demean ourselves to appear avant-garde? Have we lost all sense of dignity?
Stephen Farrugia
Nov 13th 2009, 15:27
" His small radical left-wing newspaper was removed from the University campus"
Just because a left-wing newspaper was removed, does not mean that the Rightwing has anything to do with its removal.
In fact, the Liberals that have infiltrated the two larger parties, have blocked everything the Rightwing has said or wrote for years now.
To our surprise, why is everyone protesting now on this issue? It has been normal for years now, in our case.
A Borg
Nov 13th 2009, 15:19
"whatever I say makes no difference"
It sure makes a difference to your credibility and that of the KSU.
If you consider yourself irrelevant, maybe you should make space for someone else who has the spine to make the difference.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 13th 2009, 15:14
So Ms Jessica DeBattista believes in freedom of expression - but only if it is according to "good taste"!
The question is - who's taste? Hers? That of the University Chaplain? That of the Head of the Communication Department (another priest)?
Freedom of expression limited by arbitrary things like "taste" is no freedom at all.
I am hereby urging Mr Camilleri to set up a "Fighting Fund" to finance his defence and that of his publication should the police be so misguided as to proceed against him. I will be the first to contribute.
Claire Bonello
Nov 13th 2009, 15:14
@ Jessica Debattista
Have you read the story in question? If not, how can you judge whether it is distasteful, outrageous, or otherwise? I find the KSU president's disinterest pathetic in the extreme.
Jessica DeBattista
Nov 13th 2009, 13:39
@d. Borg: "How come we are not witnessing any solidarity from fellow students? Have they all gone into hibernation?"
Well, doesn't that tell you something?
It could be that they are are tacitly supporting the ban. After all they have a right not to be instigated into protesting just to please a few who, probably erroneously, think themselves avant-garde.
By all means let us have freedom of expression but good taste should prevail.
By the way, why are we giving the writer so much exposure? HE MUST BE LOVING IT.
I wonder if the other contributors to the publication support this kind of literary expression?
For all I know, there might be others who deserve exposure much more than Vella Gera.
But he seems to be the one getting it.
Well, that is the problem of the times. SHOCK AND YOUR'E THERE!!!!!
And the gullible believe it.
Jessica deBattista
G.Russo
Nov 13th 2009, 13:34
Had this farse occurred in Italy, hell would break loose by the student corp. In Italy students have guts. In Malta they dont. I just admire students who openly voice their concern on practically every issue. Next Tuesday there's going to be a huge march in Napoli by students. What about Malta? Is everyone asleep?
Gianni Russo (Salerno)
Oscar Cassar
Nov 13th 2009, 13:19
I still remember (Maltese) University students practically passive when the world viewed LIVE on TV the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 which basically was led by Chinese University students and intellectuals. Some local students at the University of Malta did not even knew were is Tiananmen Square… apparently in these last years, the local situation have not changed much and the institution is still basically frequented by passive students (and entities).
Lawrence Attard
Nov 13th 2009, 13:15
KSU president only defends HIS students when the leader of the opposition has something to say...
What a mass of hypocrites! Everywhere in the world students are the first to march and protest in favor of liberalization of speech and here we see what our party says before expressing our opinion!!!
The PN must be so proud to foster all these lackeys on a recurrent basis.
Oscar Cassar
Nov 13th 2009, 12:17
Wow…. whatever HE say makes no difference… I would not have expected such an answer from a front person representing a student’s entity. For me it is only a statement issued with caution from an individual that does not want to commit himself.
University students and their entities must be more outspoken in particular on issues concerning liberty. Unfortunately entities such as KSU issues press releases only on political matters that are most probably instigated by the main political parties, but when concerning other issues they are practically silent.
d. borg
Nov 13th 2009, 12:12
How come we are not witnessing any solidarity from fellow students? Have they all gone into hibernation?
Robert Attard
Nov 13th 2009, 11:58
These maltese conservatives are suffocating everyone!!! Where are the mass student protests against this clear breach of our freedom of speech???