Students protest against censorship

Franco Rizzo

Dec 7th 2009, 14:19

It seems whichever way students express themselves, there's always something or someone who has to make us still look bad. And that is absolutely frustrating. This kind of attitude towards youth, generalizing at every opportunity, really has to be dealt with. Because first we comment about student apathy, and when the students show they're not apathetic, then they should shut up and study.

Keep this attitude up, but then don't complain about brain drain and apathy.

Brian Farrugia

Dec 5th 2009, 17:29

Malta has an equivelent of the great unwashed in England. Students who should be doing their studies but wasting most of their time in the streets.At least they are not in Paceville but I suppose that came afterwards.

Joe Xuereb

Dec 5th 2009, 14:35

Viva il-ghaqda ta' studenti li jridu jghixu hajja minghajr loppju.
Solidarity with students (and anyone, anywhere) who want to experience life without anaesthetic.
Jien ghandi kull dritt li nkun offiz. Jekk int issib xi oggezzjoni, dik problema tieghek. Ma narax ghaliex minhabba fik, jien ghandi nkun imcahhad minn dak li jista' jkun siewi ghalija, u forsi anke ghalik jekk int ippreparat tiftah mohhok. Tinsiex, li dak li int tarah hmieg mill-kobba tajjar li tinsab fiha, dan jista' jaghti l-kaz li fih id-deheb, id-dehen, il-qawwa, ir-realta'. Mghid ghall-mohh.
I have the right to be offended. If you object, that is your problem. I don't see why I should be deprived of informatation that could be useful to me and also to you, if you are willing to widen your perspectives. May I add that that which you see as filth from your comfort zone could well prove to be liberating, wise, and life enhancing. Food for thought.
Forsi Malta fl-ahhar qed ticcaplaq. Izzommuhiex lura. F'gieh Alla. And that's no contradiction either.
Maybe Malta is coming of age. In God's name, do not hold it back. And there's no contradiction there.
Joe, an atheist. And there's no contradiction there either. Mghid il-mohh.

M. Magro

Dec 5th 2009, 12:08

To all those downgrading this protest, do you actually think that our current society has reached the pinnacle of civilisation so much so that progressive thinkers should be deemed as a burden? Our current society's 'immaculate' values should not be tampered with because they are already perfectly formed? Do you believe that the university should be akin to primary and secondary schools, where students are stuffed with information without allowing place and time for free thinking? So according to you lot, free thinking is something that should be abolished. Because the social systems in our society our so well-formed! A Chief Judge falling to bribes, A Parliamentary Secretary abusing of his position to fund his own campaign, A policeman trafficking ecstasy and so much more...but no, university students striving for a right that in a contemporary society should be clearly established, no, such an act is pure evil.

Peter Bartolo, you ask whether university students ever give anything back to society. well think about what would happen would all the Doctors, nurses, lawyers, scientists, architects, teachers, engineers, historians, linguistic experts, management experts, accountants, economists, social workers etc. leave the country, without the prospect of more being educated.

Kevgin Bamber

Dec 5th 2009, 11:56

@Peter Bartolo.. your 'big words' fail to impress me as after you voicing your concern over students as a whole, I fail to believe that you have even graduated from a secondary school, let alone university.

And do not take this comment as one from a disgruntled university student, as I don't even attend that specific university.

In my opinion Malta is in desperate need of a face lift when it comes to an obsession with censorship and religion. This story came up a while ago when a very well known director was unable to bring a play to Malta due to an overruling from the censorship committee!
May I point out that this lack of freedom does not occur anywhere else in Europe, so why do we (in general) choose to be 5 steps behind the crowd? It is a very unfortunate situation brought about by an aging population who still believe that Computers and Technology and evolution are evil!

Darren Chetcuti Vella

Dec 4th 2009, 21:08

@Peter Bartolo

I strongly urge you to open your mind and think, and you would immediately see the quality in these students. Its part of the student's job to think and question order of man. Nothing is static, but everything is subject to be improved or changed, like the current legislation regarding freedom of press/speech/thought.

The students you see in this video are taking a stand on a current affair. It is their fundamental right to do so.

Regarding the stipends, I would like to remind you that the parents of these students are tax payers as well, so they are stealing nothing which is not theirs. I have been private/church school educated all my life, like many other students which I know, so definitely its not a big deal if the government finally provides our last three to six years of education.

Edward Zammit

Dec 4th 2009, 19:22

I feel intrigued by the considerable amount of spite being hurled at the Uni students. I do not know the people behind the comments, so I cannot judge them, but I have heard similar comments from people who have never attended University and hold an eternal grudge against graduates.
It has been sometime since graduation and in that time I am proud to say that I have done my fair share in improving the lives of hundreds of people, and in several cases, saving their lives. I can vouch for the integrity and dedication of many of my colleagues, who have contributed quite alot to society.
So PLEASE, do not generalise. Do not make false allegations and stop the spite.

Clive Gerada

Dec 4th 2009, 19:05

Better be more clean and take care of the RECYCLING PROGRAMME!, can't even understand which materials should go in which bin!, wasting time protesting for something which in the future you will repeat without caring of anything else.

Erin Stewart Tanti

Dec 4th 2009, 18:39

@ Peter Bartolo and Alex Tanti,

I was one of those present in the protest today, representing the student image as well as myself as an individual. I has a very personal interest in this issue, especially given the play "CENSOR ME!!! (BANNED FROM THEATRES NEAR YOU" I and previous directed and produced in protest to our authority's tyranny over the individual's mind, and I daresay, quite out and blatantly, that it is due to people like you that we are motivated to change the sorry, sorry state of our nation.

People like you; who at the notion of uprising and conflict you mask your idiocracy over patronising glare and state somehow that we are wasting our time. That we are wasting "your" stipends that you all so mightily fling at us on a monthly basis. Well you know what... thank you! Because this can demonstate to all the readers of this forum what attitude it is that we are aiming to distance ourselves from. It is shameful that our older generation would digress to petty infancy in the sight of a self striving youth.

adrian aquilina

Dec 4th 2009, 18:21

well done with the protest....at last a protest about something worth protesting about..hope it helps to stop censorship in malta..a.portelli,university is about more then studying,its about learning about life and yourself..about learning self expression,individuality,being yourself and questioning everything..thses things can be more important in life then exam results..good grades with no life experiences,individuality freethought etc wont get you far outside malta

D Attard

Dec 4th 2009, 18:18

@Andrea Portelli
Why are you so irritated by a peaceful protest, that I am sure, did not inconvenience you in any way? I am only curious...
As for concentrating on studies, University life is not just that, as with life itself.

Andre Pizzuto

Dec 4th 2009, 17:20

If the written word can be censored, then why don't we outlaw protests, too?

A.Attard

Dec 4th 2009, 16:56

I am father of three students, two of whom are post graduates and the third one still in Junior College. I say this to confirm that my wife and me believe that we know the philosophy of university students. The issue of censorship reached its climax after the rector censored the 'Realta' from being published. I had the opportunity to read this story that caused all this reaction. I totally agree with the authorities to stop the publication. The rude and obscene literature used by the author to share his experience of an uncontrollable entire summer of sexual activity, very morally offensive to standards of decency with disregard towards the female human body. I am against censorship especially that of visual art, however this story was nothing similar to art like some are saying. We have to be realistic and say that what is wrong and immoral is wrong and what is right is right. This story is really immoral and would have had a very serious adverse affect on immature persons.

G McDowell

Dec 4th 2009, 16:55

Thats it Andrea Portelli, if there is something you disagree with you should just take it on the chin, shut up and never ever strive for somethng better.

Sergio Galea Vincenti

Dec 4th 2009, 16:52

Whilst I am one who is in favour of the rights of the individual to free expression, I would hasten to add that no freedom or right comes without any form of limit, accountabilty or responsibility.

The issue in question is a crass example of how people often demand their rights but very often don't see the implications or harm their rights or freedoms may cause on others. In this case, the article is obscene, offensive and downright censorable.

With all due respect to the students who exercised their right to protest, I would like to remind them of their responsibilities towards society which bears the cost of their education and, indeed, their stipends. What sort of return are these students giving back to society?

This is not meant to be an offensive question but, until now, no one has come forward to acknowledge the accountability they have towards society and what they are giving back.

With over-publicising issues such as the censorship of this article or the issue of condom machines in the University grounds, I believe that whatever good which I am sure is carried out by most students may get clouded and questioned.

Mario Caruana

Dec 4th 2009, 16:46

If it keeps them happy, and makes them feel like they're doing something, leave them be.....If they really wanted to protest, they should have done so from the start, when the newspaper was initially banned, not agreed with the University and then protested. This is all just hot air in my opinion

Andrea Portelli

Dec 4th 2009, 16:38

Focus on your studies rather than this nonsense.


You want to discuss things without having problems as those which arose with that magazine?

Use the internet.... now stop having a cry about it

Anthont A. Mifsud

Dec 4th 2009, 16:28

If it was.t for the rain, with and without the rain, censorship should be dropped
Tony

Joseph Caruana

Dec 4th 2009, 16:25

Prosit il-Organisers li flimkien mal protesta hargu b'numru ta proposti li jistaw biss issahu il bazi demokratika ta dan il pajjiz.

Il Liberta ta lespresioni ghanda tkun lanathema ta din il generazioni!

Mark Camilleri

Dec 4th 2009, 16:09

There were at least 100 people present from what I could see, the video is taken when the protest had just started and people were still gathering. I was very surprised by the turnout as I thought nobody would come due to the heavy rains, so a great thanks to everyone who attended!

Ryan Dalli

Dec 4th 2009, 15:39

Please do not not over-generalize and stop being dramatic.
Not all university students are 'tal-Pepe' and not all graduates go around with buses.

Regarding the protest.
I was one of those students protesting against censorship on arts.
I read the article - and I didn't like it - but that does not mean - Ban it - especially on Campus.

I protested in favor of a distinction between a work of art and a journal - It was a work of Art - and Art cannot be banned -
The protest had nothing to do with prostitutes and the lot.

And Peter Bartolo please - your drama is not the result of these students who dare to think - but the result of 1,000 students who do not dare to think critically or ask questions that matter.
The problem of the UOM is the lack thought and the regurgitation of local media/political clichés.

I protested in favor of thought - in which you appear to be against that.
Shame on you.

I. Bondin

Dec 4th 2009, 15:39

Li tahraq il-gazzetta hi simbolu tac-censura fuq il-media u mhux hamallata. L-istudenti li kienu hemm illum huma dawk li hadu interess fil-protezzjoni ta'drittijiet fundamentali li kollha ngawdu minnhom bhala bnedmin. Dan jikkuntrasta bil-qawwi mat-telqa tas-socjeta Maltija in generali. Jekk hawn xi hadd li ghandu jisthi hawn huwa min irid li l-Universitajiet isiru postijiet fejn titghallem kollox bhad-duttrina u fejn ma tistax tisfida l-establishment b'ideat godda!! Ma jistax ikun li nibqghu nghixu fil-medju evu go dal-pajjiz..

Tim Diacono

Dec 4th 2009, 15:37

@ Peter Bartolo

the most hilarious comment i have ever seen.

i hope you were joking . . .

Alex Tanti

Dec 4th 2009, 15:21

Seems that these students are out of ideas,
of what to do with their spare time.....

what about obligatory community service...
at least in return to the stipend we all contribute towards....

Wayne Criggs

Dec 4th 2009, 15:16

Everybody has the right to express himself and give his opinion. ANd nobody has the right to dictate anything to anyone.
"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
So go on and make your voices well heard students. It's about time that the new generations start telling everyone how they feel and help this society get better, wiser, more open-minded.
I'm fed up of people who afraid to say what they really believe in. It's about time that different opinions are shared and not hidden.

David Paul Galea

Dec 4th 2009, 15:05

It is great to see university students actively questioning and challenging. Shameful?! They make me feel proud. It is sad to see such an attack on thinking by many of the people commenting here.
Hatred and bitterness are not traits to foster.

T.Tanti

Dec 4th 2009, 15:02

Oh my god...what a shame.... what on earth are these comments down here.... unbelievable

Robert Callus

Dec 4th 2009, 15:00

@Peter Bartolo
What is your model of a perfect student? Another one of the herd, that questions nothing, and answers only the things he learnt by hearth? Are these students of the "lower cast" as you unashamedly call them cause they speak up their minds? Cause thed do not accept their newspaper being censored for a frivioulous reason (prose with vulgar words) when they know the real reason is their attitude - against corruption and an honest belief in secularism, human rights and animal rights amongst others?

Is that what makes them the 'lowest cast'. THe things "burnt and destroyed" are just their own newspaper, the same one that was banned. This is no act of vandalism as you like to portray it. Its a symbolic act to remind people of burning books and other material for reasons of social control.

D Attard

Dec 4th 2009, 15:00

At last some action by University students, this protest and MOVE's initiative for the condom machines, whilst KSU sleeps on! Keep it up guys! University students shouldn't only protest about stipends and parking places!

Marylu Alosia d'Agostino

Dec 4th 2009, 14:52

A word of appreciation to the students who braved the weather to make their voices heard. Well done! You fight for what is right. May your fight gain momentum. Remember the words of Peter Gabriel:

You may blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher.

Ruth Chirop

Dec 4th 2009, 14:48

Well Mr r Peter Bartolo. Should it matter if they were university students or not. They were people protesting against censorship. .Are you talking about casts? "lower cast" Are you one of those who believe in the place of hierarchy in society and therefore putting your self at the top and them protesting at the bottom. Also let me inform you the the university is not supposed to be feeding them knowledge, or feed them it"s view which I suppose you are implementing. But the university"s job is to help them develop as individuals with a brain and strong values and ideas. And when people think and use their brain since we are all different we are all going to have different values and opinion.

J Cremona

Dec 4th 2009, 14:35

Come on Peter Bartolo! No need to be so dramatic! They were maybe just about 50 (from what can be seen from the video) from 10000 students attending university. You're over generalising! If the problems are that small in number we don't need to worry at all!

H Caruana

Dec 4th 2009, 14:10

Could someone inform them that paper must be thrown away in the appropriate bin and not in the one allocated for plastic waste. Regards

Anthony Mercieca

Dec 4th 2009, 13:05

Nobody wants big daddy to dictate, but everyone wants big daddy to pay handouts if someone gets hurt!!!!!!! Per se, I hate censorship but the issue raising the question demanded that. I wouldn't be surprised if soon someone will protest that would want professional prostitutes to declared saints

Peter Bartolo

Dec 4th 2009, 12:55

Are these really university students?? Oh my God, what a shameful lot - where is the quality? Stop immediately the stipends to these students since they are not worth our taxes. They are just the lowest cast in our country. Is this all they know, is this all the knowledge they are being fed by our supposed intelligentia? How easy it is for me to burn and destroy all things in front of me. But how difficult it is to build a man, a true man, A man of honour of trust, a real man. No wonder the big problems we have in Malta. No wonder our economist dont have a remedy to difficult situations, no wonder we dont have professionals worthy of their name. This University has gone to the dogs. The less you show this video the better for one and all.

Fenech M D

Dec 4th 2009, 12:54

150? I can't see more than 30. Shame...