Cemetery photo-shoot offended public sentiment - Broadcasting Authority

Joe Xuereb

Nov 24th 2009, 00:04

@ Dominic Fenech. Thanks. I am an atheist and a homosexual to boot. For this reason, my perception of the world and what happens in it is not exactly mainstream. I follow no crowd, no diktat. But I have morals, make no mistake. And I follow them with amazing strictness. Even my believing 'friends' are amazed. But I review everything in life. Everything is part of a learning curve. An no, to anyone else, I am not proselytising. I do not do that. I do simple, reasoned common sense. It is an opinion. The young woman is beautiful (what do I know) and I imagine she has legs to die for (what do I know). To me that is where it starts and that is where it ends. My take on the shoot (not the bird ones) in the cemetery I have expressed elsewhere so I will not bore the pants off people with annoying repetitions. Thank you.

j mallia

Nov 23rd 2009, 00:27

shame on ba.you are trying to slap one the most creative programme on local tv......what's your aim..to let all the trush in our local tv and destroy the good ones..who is not in a position to appreciate the art innovation and creativity..and is offended with what you called bad taste..just change channel....i wonder whether you have staff in a postion to judge such creative work. you judged this programme ona particular shoot with the aim to please who asked the first question..why don't other authorities see what's happening in the same cemetry..!!!!! artis reganat.

Joe Fenech

Nov 22nd 2009, 00:03

Veru ahna pajjiz m'ghandniex x'naghmlu! Ilna sejrin zmien bl-istess haga!

Dominic Fenech

Nov 21st 2009, 22:04

@ Joe Xuereb
Good one Joe, whoever your are. Maybe it's time the secularists to got together to fight back. We are choking.

The Broadcasting Authority says the programme offended public sentiment. Isn't the BA aware that offending people's sentiment is not a legitimate reason for censorship? Enlightened thought offends prevailing public sentiment by definition, because it throws light on the darkness therein.

The Broadcasting Authority presides over the most degenerate broadcasting scene in the western world, and has proved impotent in dealing with the many offences against decency that take place every day. But here it has found a cause on which to reclaim public approval.

Public sentiment! Has anyone seen the sheer indignity with which people are buried in the government 'common' graves? Has anyone been to the corner of the cemetery previously called 'Il-Mizbla' (unsacred by statute). Go there and see for yourself.

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 21st 2009, 17:55

@Jason Pace
The young woman is beautiful but not the photo.

Jason Pace

Nov 21st 2009, 16:37

Offended who? It is such a beautiful photo.

Gemma Zammit

Nov 21st 2009, 16:24

Sometimes, wisdom comes in the form of a comic:
http://www.xkcd.com/659/

Jonathan Camilleri

Nov 21st 2009, 16:11

If I may ask the Broadcasting Authority, who has not come up with a rational reason for finding the photoshoot offensive, what exactly were they thinking?

Finally, what legislation or industry standards/policies are being broken?

N.Lawrence

Nov 21st 2009, 09:04

Cut out the wishful thinking and face the facts- the bottom line is that there is NOBODY there. The interred bodies disintegrate within a few months, leaving just holes in the ground. The "souls" of the departed , according to popular belief, are somewhere else anyway, NOT in the cemetery.

Joe Xuereb

Nov 21st 2009, 01:32

Both my parents are buried at L'Addolorata. Whereabouts of their grave unknown. Respect is merited, and given, during one's lifetime. When one is dead, one is dead. Gone. When I die, if I die in Malta, as an unbeliever, I request, indeed, I insist, that I be buried at Maghtab. So?!!
Of course all this reflects the Maltese psyche's fascination with death because they are indoctrinated into believing that in fact, there is no such thing. It sounds like a Hammer film, appropriately Gothic of course. The land of the living dead. Or the land of the dead still living. Sorry, I refuse to have my days on this earth distorted out of all recognition.
Someone here used the word 'jaqq' to show distaste at the photo-shoot. We used that word as kids when we refused to eat our greens. Anyhow, a word used to show disgust at some food or other. Here used by an adult. Progress indeed!

T Vella

Nov 20th 2009, 15:11

My parents are buried at the Addolorata, both had good taste and elegance in clothes. They would welcome models parading in fashion clothes next to their graves as long as they are tasteful.

Mario Sammut

Nov 20th 2009, 15:00

Kemm ahna pajjiz tad dahk....

Sara Dimech

Nov 20th 2009, 14:27

BA said that this photo shoot "offended many people whose relatives were buried there." Did BA commission any survey to come to this conclusion? From the comments on this article it surely looks the opposite!

Kurt Vella

Nov 20th 2009, 14:14

It is more than evident that the broadcasting authority needs a complete overhaul. We surely do not need paternalistic characters, who think that they can choose what I should or should not watch. These people clearly disrespect the intelligence of the viewing public, they think we have the intelligence of a two year old! And this I think is really "Bad Taste"!!

The Broadcasting Act needs to be rewritten. There cannot be vague sentences that give absolute power on subjective interpretations.

A.Borg

Nov 20th 2009, 14:04

mela "no objection to the theme" "no objection to the models" nahseb jien no objection on the devilish theme and those wearing in black..but objected on the venue !!!..Lanqas ridtu tigbru giehkhom ( after articles shown) u fl-istess hin turu li ghaddiet taghkhom!!!!!! they chose the most subjective law to attack these poor producers. Do BA think we are stupid??? This reform is still in the 60's when BA was created 50 years AGO !!!!! same mentality and show off of power !!! your decision is an insult to creativity..your decision is Bad Taste, and thank god internet ,radio satellite and newspapers do not fall under your jurisdiction..God Bless us all and the freedom of expression., and to add insult to injury they were against media giving exposure to this issue ..what's next ???..ps @ E galea...you said it right..

e.Galea

Nov 20th 2009, 10:31

Which clause did they breach? Bad Taste?a very subjetive law.!! And who decided what bad taste is? Why this decision has been taken on this programme and not the other dramas which were done in the same cemetery.?.....was this fuss done because they offended the moral of certain people with this shoot and maybe the dramas did not offend the morals of the same people who raised this issue. This decision got food for thought, and BA incriminated us all..What about a group of people of different religion will now say that they are being offended with the Sunday Mass on TVM?? or with any religious programme......If the moral of a couple of people was offended and action was taken , it should be done the same on another ....BA your decision is simply funny and this shows how respectable all of you are !! With certain people you act and with others don't .. IF permission was given by the authorities WHO ARE THE BA TO SAY IT'S ILLEGAL. Pse remember that clauses of Bad tastes have been removed from all world. No wonder that no such good programme is aired on local tv's .A reform is needed!!

M. Cardona

Nov 20th 2009, 09:01

If the photos had been taken on the tombs I would appreciate better all this uproar. Yet again, PLEASE DO SEND PLENTY PRETTY MODELS ON MY GRAVE WHEN I DIE! AND PLEASE BA OR ANYONE ELSE ------DON'T STOP THEM!

Mario Genovese

Nov 20th 2009, 08:53

Photography is my hobby. I cannot see any attempt for indecency on this photo and truly say prosit to the man or woman behind the camera....it's a really good photo.....the beautiful girl has a pensive look on her face and her eyes reflect the mood of the place. Common she was not photgraphed dancing semi naked around the graves!!!! Grow up and stop stopping progress.

J Farrugia

Nov 20th 2009, 08:39

@ Victor Laivera - I care for my deceased relatives and I dont want any monkey business inside the Cemetery. The cemetery is a sacred place. Or have you conveniently forgotten the times that the MIZBLA was mentioned. All those buried inside the Addolorata Cemetery are resting in consecrated grounds but this for you means nothing does it? Yes I am offended by all those who approved such obscene photoshoots. And I hope no one ever does it again. Otherwise it will mean trouble.

Victor Laiviera

Nov 20th 2009, 07:59

I am a member of the public, I have close relatives buried at L-Addolorata, and my sentiments were not offended in any way whatsoever by this episode.

S. Vella

Nov 20th 2009, 07:07

It is my last wish that a model will dance on my grave. Now that's a worthy send-off in my book!

By the way, civilised people honor the memory of their dead. They certainly do not need elaborate tombs/chapels to do so. I have always thought that this practice was pagan reminiscent of ancient and long gone cultures.

John Abela

Nov 20th 2009, 05:45

Mary Ann Borg
you have no respect for the dead and their relatives...cemeteries have to be respected. Yes it is like they own the place...because first of all they paid for the graves..gifieri mux se tigi int tpoggilhom fuq l qabar u taghmel l hsara. It tieni nett issa xhin allahares qatt imutlek xi hadd tal familja ghidli fejnu l qabar ha nigi naghmel loghoba futbol fuqu ta...it's called desecration
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desecration
..x nies bla rispett lejn haddihor jaqq. modelling on graves now. what's next pole dancing

Ramon Casha

Nov 20th 2009, 05:33

I'm a member of the public, and I am more offended by this BA decision than by the photo shoot. In fact, when my own time is up, I invite film or TV producers to film my grave if they wish.

albert g storace

Nov 20th 2009, 04:21

What is really shameful at the cemetery is the theft of bouquets of flowers from one grave to be put wherever the thief wants to. The theft of lettering from inscriptions is also common, also wanton damage to graves and tombs and smoking. All this not to mention (also known to happen) the barefaced shooting at birds inside the cemetery from outside its precincts. Some time ago pellets rained upon mourners during an interment close to the cemetery wall. That is what is worrying...peril to the living. That photo-shoot was harmless once no damage was done and nothing trampled over. I am sure none of my dear departed objected and neither would I once I join them. In any case it would all be symbolic as we would be somewhere else, for better or for worse!

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 20th 2009, 00:57

I am never against progress and being very progressive person myself I do have my own conflicts with what is considered the "norm". People may become completely indifferent in situations that need human intervention. I have seen instances on mainland Europe and in the UK where people simply ignored people laying on the pavement. Nobody even cared to look if the person is still breathing or not !!!

I was recently in a caffe, and noticed an elderly woman, with her head laying on the table, I just went on to her and asked if she was ok. She did not reply, then another person noticed what I was doing and came along and noded her on the shoulders and she just woke up. She simply appreciated the concern we all showed towards her. THAT IS ONE NICE FEELING BELEIVE ME.

Yes, I agree with this judgement, it shows that people still have values. Values which I relate to decency and respect. If people start loosing such values, I do not need to comment further.................................... Simple as that really.

C. Debono

Nov 20th 2009, 00:33

@Jean Dale

You so can't say such a statement.. "even more the Gozitans". I am a Gozitan and personally I don't see anything wrong with taking a photoshoot in a cemetery.

I am so sure that there were Maltese that objected against this idea as there were Gozitans. May I remind you that Gozo has a small population, therefore if a few people object about something you dont need to generalize. No one has the same opinion so don't act like you are open-minded and start generalizing.

Jean Dale

Nov 19th 2009, 20:40

I think the Maltese and even more so the Gozitans should come out of that thick shell of theirs and liven u a bit, boy some of them are still livng in the past. Send some over to the mainmland they shopon come back educated in such matters.

adrian aquilina

Nov 19th 2009, 20:35

people moan and make a fuss over the most unimportant and stupid things..this country must grow up..the people are dead and noone is digging them up,making a mess of the graves,walking over them or disrespecting anything..

Frank Tropman

Nov 19th 2009, 20:34

As an Ex-pat living in Malta for some years now all this hullaballoo seems part of the everyday life I moved here to get away from. I really love living on this island but at times the 'mountain - molehill' undercurrent that takes over common sense in the minority, affecting the majority reminds me of the very reason I left my own country and sought solice here.... not such a nice feeling. As for comments regarding suing the producers of the TV show.... well again I urge this proud nation to resist falling into a 'sue culture' - it doesn't serve any real purpose other than to line the pockets of solicitors... Live and let live...

Terence Zammit

Nov 19th 2009, 20:27

dawn bis serjeta jew? qedin fit 2009 mbasta qedin fl ewropa !!!! ara veru adna lura bhal granc hawn Malta eh ... meta ha nikbru?

George Debono

Nov 19th 2009, 20:13

@ Andrew Gatt

Your comment "the dead sure don't care." is repulsive.

The dead are also powerless; they cannot dissent ...so they can be disregarded with impunity only - we, who are alive, can dissent on their behalf.
-
Any decent civilised society will be in favour of a respectful attitude to our dead.

So cut out the stupid cant about "Self-appointed crusaders of Malta's morals"

Capisch?

G


So

Anthony Roberts

Nov 19th 2009, 20:08

Of course the cemetery should never have been used as a backdrop for fashion or any other type of advertising. My loved ones are buried there and I was dismayed to learn that such goings on had taken place. The cemetery is place of peace for those who wish to visit their loved ones, and definitely not a place to hold a fashion show. Never mind that we are in the 21st Century and that others feel that we are 'modern'. It is coming that to be modern means to have absolutely no respect for those who have died or for those who mourn the death of their loved ones.

Philip Hili

Nov 19th 2009, 19:57

@ Andrew Gatt
For the information of Andrew Gatt, the BA is appointed by the House of Representatives under the Constitution and it is not "the usual half-dozen people arrogantly deciding, on behalf of us all". If "the dead sure don't care", the alive do care.

Alfred Camilleri

Nov 19th 2009, 19:47

Has the BA nothing better to do then to resurrect the business of the Addolorata photo-shoot, when it was all but forgottem. Are they so keen to start another polemic on the matter. And who gave BA the authority to speak on behalf of the public. I, for one, and thousands of others, apparently, were indifferent to the matter.

T Vella

Nov 19th 2009, 19:43

U ejja BA, stop being so narrow-minded. A simple google search will show several cemetery photo shoots in other countries, one of which is of bridal wear, why not in Malta?

Enzo Caruana

Nov 19th 2009, 19:38

I was at Addolorata recently and noticed a sign that said "No photographs allowed"

To all those who think that BA's decision is out of time and out of touch, please hold your snide comments and remeber that a cemetery is sacred ground and should be treated with the respect it merits. Well done BA

Mary Ann Borg

Nov 19th 2009, 19:31

@ Andrew Gatt: Yeah, you're so right. A half dozen people who decide what should be seen or not and now even going into the morality of things. Who exactly are they to decide on such matters? If not even the church complained, what's the problem with BA? I think it was a lovely shoot especially since we don't have many Gothic places in Malta. The models didn't step on anyone's tomb or anything of that sort but it's funny how people here reckon that if their dead ones are there, they therefore own the whole place.

Jesmond Micallef

Nov 19th 2009, 19:22

@Nigel Lawrence.

Definitely not, but then again I would have made my own version of this production in the Miltary Cemetries of Normandy, or a military cemetry of the British Commonwealth, or evenmore on the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. We did commemorate the War Dead lately, did we !!!

To all :

I agree. It is part of our culture. The month of November in Malta speaks for itself. Full stop.

clive borg

Nov 19th 2009, 19:14

Come on wake up, why do you need to panic and putting up all this plato for dis-respecting the buried persons.

@ John Abela

i dont see any detail that shows that you can state you is the person buried or any information about the person buried , its in a stairs, if it was on your grave than its ok, but the subject is the girl and only two crosses are seen in background...

Stephen Baldacchino

Nov 19th 2009, 19:07

Are we living in the 21st century or in the 15th ?????????? THIS IS JUST A PHOTO SHOOT not something that people or people that passed away should get offended dear Broadcasting Authority. Ghara vera maniex xejn xnghamlu ta ahna il-Maltin hlief indahqu in-nies biena.

J. Sultana

Nov 19th 2009, 18:54

Now let`s see ... according to the BA the photoshoot offended public sentiment. Agree or not, it`s their opinion (not necessarily the same as that of the public though)..

SO....

If the producers offended the public sentiment with the photoshoot, what is The Times doing by publishing this photo every single time ????? (and if we want to be as touchy as many seem to be, in this photo there are even 3 graves visible - the two crosses and the statue which may be easily recognizable)....

So is The Times over and above any public sentiment ?

martin saliba

Nov 19th 2009, 18:45

who art the offended public ? Are they the same people who objected to a play some time ago. If the public includes me i wish to advise the BA that i wasnt asked if i was offended.

A Attard

Nov 19th 2009, 18:28

There are ethics to be observed in civil society.... there are those who observe them.....and some whose duty is to observe them and safeguard them too.

patrick mifsud

Nov 19th 2009, 18:20

if i am not mistaken, was there a video which was shot when we went to the eurovision song contest and it was shot in a cemetery. this an extract on a local website where the video was shot
"as well as in the cemetery near Rabat". was this not offending the public sentiment. again the song Pajjiz tal Mickey mouse.

Andrew Gatt

Nov 19th 2009, 18:06

And who, exactly, appointed the Broadcasting Authority to decide on behalf of the public?

It's the usual half-dozen people arrogantly deciding, on behalf of us all, what THEY consider we should or should not see and what THEY feel would or would not offend us. Self-appointed crusaders of Malta's morals! What a joke!

Stop treating us like children, BA. Your attitude stifles creativity, quashes artistic expression and takes us back to the good old days of censorship and inquisition,

And in case you hadn't noticed, the dead sure don't care. Grow up or move over, BA.

Nigel Lawrence

Nov 19th 2009, 18:05

I dont think the residents of the cemetry were too bothered.

Andrei Azzopardi

Nov 19th 2009, 17:52

@Broadcasting Authority and to any of you that are against this photo shoot.

With your reasoning, it is not permitted to broadcast a model photo shoot if in the photos there is one of the many tombstones scattered around the streets of Malta and Gozo. This is ridiculous.

Lorenzo Vella

Nov 19th 2009, 17:49

@ John Abela

Sue them???? Since when has this word become so freely used in our everyday conversations? Everyone is just shooting around the words 'Sue them' as if they were peanuts! Sue them for what? Where does it say this in the Maltese Legislation? Offending who? I have relatives buried at the Addolorata and I did not get offended with the photoshoot - anzi it was a great opportunity for the architectural beauties of this place to be exposed to the public in general. Apart from the fact that they had the necessary permission to shoot pictures at the Addolorata!

The relatives of those buried at the Addolorata should sue the authoritise and other relatives who neglect their tombs and left the place in shambles for decades!

I would like to express my solidarity with all those involved in the production of this programme. Shame on a Braodcasting Authority that does not represent Maltese society in this day and age!

sandro magri

Nov 19th 2009, 17:41

I think it was good ,For some might have remebered they have someone there! why all this fuss about?Have you ever done something wrong while driving to see how much respect we give to those passed away!

Mvella

Nov 19th 2009, 17:34

How hypocritical we are once again. We are going all holy moly on this one. AGAIN!

Most men and women in this country cheat on each other or do many other un-catholic things like lying, stealing, defrauding and whatever else. Don't deny it - just open the newspaper.

Did any of these models fornicate on the graves? No! Did they pole dance, behave obscene or desecrated the same mentioned graves? No! So stop being difficult for the sake of being difficult. This is a beautiful cemetery as is the amazing Pere LaChaisse in Paris. If a taste full report like this can bring its shortcomings to light, the better. Or would you prefer your beloved decaying away in a delipidated cemetery nobody actually gives a toss about with nature growing galore and rats running hay-wire? I did not think so!

Well done to the producers here - at least someone is living in the 21st century.

Edward Bugeja

Nov 19th 2009, 17:34

U Ejja ........Grow Up.......we are in 2009, do you really think that the souls of our loved ones got HURT?

Brian Borg

Nov 19th 2009, 17:30

Iccajtaw bija kemm tridu, imma mhux bil-mejtin tieghi.

Proset BA!

Anthony Farrugia

Nov 19th 2009, 17:27

Oh how I miss Monty Python! The Spanish Inquisition is alive and well in Malta 2009 AD.

M. Camilleri

Nov 19th 2009, 17:23

Gosh I must have born in the wrong period. Do the Knights still rule over here?

Chris Borg

Nov 19th 2009, 17:22

Oh come on .... you mean to tell me that the only time we can appreciate the cemetry is whilst stuck in traffic going downhill???

John Abela

Nov 19th 2009, 17:11

the families of those buried have every right to sue them...they should have at least asked for their permission. Do these people think a cemetery is a catwalk with a dancing pole? I hope they take them to court for being so arrogant.

Mario Pace

Nov 19th 2009, 17:11

I wonder if there would have been any objections to this photshoot had the models been male and not female.

Ronnie Attard

Nov 19th 2009, 17:00

Ma nistawx naqaw iktar baxx min hekk. Ghawn hafna postijiet madwar Malta fejen nistaw nihdu ritratti f postijiet storici. Din ga saret fuq teledrammi lokali li itwerrew fuq stazzjonijiet lokali.

carmel callus

Nov 19th 2009, 16:36

How times change! I still remember when, as a reporter with the Times (of Malta) in the sixties went to the Addolorata Cemetery with the photographer for a story on All Souls Day and we nearly got arrested because, according to the Chaplain in charge, we did not have the necessary permit from the then Ministry of Health to take pictures!