Updated: Decision to charge young editor anachronistic - Joseph Muscat
The Labour Party is to take all the necessary measures for civil liberties in the country to be safeguarded.
Party leader Joseph Muscat said this morning during an interview with journalist Miriam Dalli that the authorities were threatening to throw a student in prison for publishing an opinion.
A graphic piece of fiction about sexual violence was published by 21-year-old editor of the leftist newspaper Ir-Realta Mark Camilleri a few months ago.
The newspaper was distributed at the University before being banned and reported to the police by Rector Juanito Camilleri and the editor is now to be arraigned on charges that carry a possible prison term.
The story Li Tkisser Sewwi, was by novelist Alex Vella Gera.
“This is anachronistic and God forbid that this student is thrown in prison,” Dr Muscat said adding that these students’ freedom of expression should be defended.
The Labour leader said that even if one did not agree with the students’ opinion, they should not be threatened with imprisonment for making this known.
“This is not acceptable.”
Dr Muscat was asked about a variety of other subjects including on the deficit, the water and electricity rates and the Enemalta contract.
He said that while around €15 million were spent by the government to protect employment, the difference in the deficit was of over €300 million. Where did the remaining money go?
The deficit, the Labour leader said, was going up and so was unemployment.
He said that the burden of the new water and electricity tariffs could be easily reduced by €15 million by only taking up a couple of proposals which had been made by the Labour Party.
Even though the electricity metre rental charge was only being minimally increased, this would be giving the government an additional €1 million. The government was also clearly introducing a drainage tax and although the €20 charge was this year being subsidised the concept of the tax had been introduced.
In spite of meetings with constituted bodies to be held this week, the government was already indicating that the new rates would not be changed.
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Claire Busuttil
Jan 27th 2010, 23:14
@Elton Grech-
jidispjacini , imma din listorja li giet ipublikata(wara kollox dan l artiklu fuqa qieghed) nerga nighd li hi vulgari, u freedom of expression, tista tigi ipridkata kemm trid, imma nighdlek wahda, basta ikun dejjem r rispett. ghax jekk le, allura kulhadd jista iparla, bla ma iqis kliemu.
amanda abela
Jan 27th 2010, 19:48
I think for a state of the art hospital it should run on mega light system more then any ups as it could be not that powerful on some sources of machines especially on patients. my opinion anyway
Alan Vella
Jan 26th 2010, 17:14
The main reason why we are even debating whether we should have this kind of censorship in Malta is because the Maltese are so poorly-educated when it comes to art, culture and morality.
Most of the programs that are shown on local TV I find offensive and degrading to the human spirit ... yet I would never dream of asking anyone to censor them.
I just hope that this case goes to the European Court.
Elton Grech
Jan 25th 2010, 16:56
@ Ms.C. Busuttil- Jekk jghogbok ifhem li d-diskussjoni mhix jekk hix storja sabiha jew kerha, imma hi dwar jekk tridx xi istituzzjoni li tahseb ghalik jew ghandekx stima tieghek bizejjed biex tghid "le, hallini ha nahseb b'mohhi u jekk mhix tajba, nideciedi jien" Kieku qeda fuq mejda u xi hadd jitkellem f'widnejn xi hadd u l-iehor izommu milli jghidha lil kulhadd, xi tkun r-reazjoni tieghek.?..u jekk hi xi haga dwarek? ghandek dritt tkun taf? Mhux importanti taqbilx jew le man-novella, l-argument hu, ghandu xi hadd iehor jideciedi ghalija ? Fuq liema bazi ?
Claire Busuttil
Jan 24th 2010, 19:28
@Guccione -Fejn huma il-qaddisin kollha ta Malta?!?! Messu jigi jghix hawn il-papa flok il-Vatican!!!!!!!!
D dawl gholi wisq hawn Malta, ghalhekk ta ma jigiex joqod hawn nahseb!
Claire Busuttil
Jan 24th 2010, 19:26
Din n novella hi semplicement gabra ta kliem baxx u vulgari, u ma tistax tisejjah xejn aktar hlief hmieg!!, mela gejjin bil freedom of expression...mela mur kellem hazin lil xi ras kbira maltija...xi joe muscat ezempju, ara johodiex bhala freedom of expression....u hallina joseph, trid tiprova tigbed xi simpatija, jew inkella trid just tkun opposizjoni, ghax li qed titbaqbaq fuq din il haga veru ma tamilekx gih, la lilek u lanqas lil partit......mur iprova fijem xi xiha laburista li semet dan il kliem f xarabank nhar il gima, u taf li inti favur tieghu, halli tara kemm ivutalek fl elezzjoni li gejja!! :)
j.camilleri
Jan 23rd 2010, 22:04
History repeats itself. Lets not mention the famous interdett, but do you remember the times when there was the teleserial MADONNA TAC-COQQA which they had made a huge issue out of it and not to forget the miserable times that all the actors had been through with the society, whilst at the same period some italian channel was showing the same story THE THORN BIRDS, were it used to keep every maltese glued to the tv at night watching it and the next day everyone talks about it. Obviously there were the usual bunch of christians that were contraversial but then again they watched it still even though they were scandalised ! They couldn't complain to anyone as everyone had areals on the roof or some iron clothes hanger to recieve the extra italian channels like TELEBLEA and the rest that used to keep alot of maltese entertained and others scandalised !!! BUT THEY WATCHED IT STILL ! Unfotunately, hypocrecy will never change the mentality of certain breeders.
J.Camilleri
Jan 23rd 2010, 21:30
@ ghall min qed jiskandalizza ... l-oxxenitajiet huma 24/7 madwarna u madwar uliedna minghajr aqqas biss isir xej ghax ma' jsirx bil-mikutb bhall ma' gara f'dan il-kaz. LI kieku jsir bil-miktub id-dagha li nisimghu matul il-gurnata barra t-triq u f'postijiet pubblici, football grounds, jew fuq tal-linja, jew fejn l-airport, ilbies vulgari, insomma l-lista ma' tieqaf qatt ghax widnejna hadu l-qaghda. Izda meta mbaghad naqraw xi haga ... iiiiiiiii x'gharukazaaaaa, haga nkredibbli dik biss tibqa stampata minn xi gurnata kollha dagha u oxxenitajiet ta' madwarna. U ta' nsara li ahna mbaghad tinzlilna iktar ghasel meta nippontaw subghajna fuq xi hadd li prova jesprimi ruhu b'mod intellett li mhux kulhadd hu kapaci jifhem jew jaccetta fil-mohh maghluq l-ghandu. Hemm qawl malti u tajjeb li nfakkruh... KULL MINN JGHOLLI JDEJH KULHADD GHANDU XI JXOMM !
G. Guccione
Jan 23rd 2010, 16:41
Fejn huma il-qaddisin kollha ta Malta?!?! Messu jigi jghix hawn il-papa flok il-Vatican!!!!!!!! Kif jghid Joe Demicoli.... ara vera pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse!!!!
G. Guccione
Jan 23rd 2010, 16:34
And an other thing, @ Ms. Maria Bonnici and others similar to her. Have you been living or asleep for all your life? What I think you call "pornography" is all around us. In billboards, on TV and YES believe it or not right inside our houses! :D
Did you know that 90% of the images found on the internet involve naked people or people having sex? that's like a 9 out of 10 chance of hitting one hahaha. Should the government censor the internet? Should we be like China? :) HYPOCRITES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like these kind of debates, it can """"""maybe""""" make people think, and not be a HYPOCRITE. Im sure all your children were scandalised by this article. Poor them. Imsiken.
G. Guccione
Jan 23rd 2010, 16:22
jin qrajtu dak l-artiklu. U iktar min vjolenza fuq in-nisa, iktar dehret bhala bicca letteratura li fija dehret ir-realta tal-kultura Maltija. Ghalxiex ahna nies daqsek ipokriti li nejdu li haga bhal din m'ghandiex tidher? U ghalxiex persuna ghanda tiddecidi xinu tajjeb jew hazin? Ma tridx taraha? Taqrahhix! Trid taqraha? Aqraha! What's the big deal? and bdw... @ Joss Galea, C.Zammit, and everyone else who opposed this article, if you have children over the age of 15 I'm quite sure they would be speaking the way the article read, just open your eyes. Even if this story wasn't published, I'm quite sure most of us spoke in that way at least once in our lifes. Lets not be all Saints and hypocrites. Hypocrisy is sending our country backwards not forwards. Its true, it may be vulgar, it may be disgusting, but its a published article and people can decide to read it or not. Switch on TV, italian perhaps. All the girls are half naked. Did we say anything about that? No. But everyone watches. Just think about that. No one decides what I should see or read. I hope that many other articles like this come_out_in_the_next_few days
Joss Galea
Jan 20th 2010, 14:05
Did Mr. Muscat read the article? It is not a students' opinion, but a vulgar article full stop.
J. Buhagiar
Jan 20th 2010, 02:35
Dr. Muscat, Proset.
Doleres Cristina too since at least we know were we are.
And Dr. Gonzi? His stand as PM will be greatly appreciated in a European democracy.
Adrian Archer
Jan 18th 2010, 11:42
Jekk nista' nistqarr l-opinjoni tieghi...ikolli nghid li l-artiklu hu grafiku u vulgari...pero hemm hafna litteratura (passat u prezent) li huma hafna ghar minn hekk...u jekk hi kwistjoni ta' disdehen u oggetivita lejn in-nisa...ixghel MTV u tara li dan qed jigri fil-miftuh. Vera dan hu aktar grafiku u kwazi pornografiku...pero din mhix l-ewwel literatura hekk. Bhala litteratura ghandha tinzamm ta' li hi...fejn tista taqbel jew le maghha.
Il-problema ghandha tibqa' dwar jekk l-editur ghandux jippublika dak l-artiklu. Jien qrajt l-artiklu pero ma nafx jekk certu kliem vulgari kienx moghtti jew le. Mhux ghax hi ta' min jiskandalizza tuhu imma ghax mhux kollox xieraq li jinkiteb fil-pubbliku.
Jekk ghandu jehel xi haga (nghid ghalija mhux persuna kriminali li jintbaghat il-habs) hi li forsi mhux xieraq li jintwera fil--pubbliku. Fejn tidhol il-litteratura, sa fejn naf jien tezisti il-liberta tal-kelma u l-opinjoni. Jien kieku nxaqleb lejn l-editur pero nifhem ghala nqala dan il-kaz u hemm punti li jmorru lil hinn mill-ligi u l-etika. Pero ukoll nirrealizza li ghadna ftit lura ukoll. U barra minn hekk l-Universita ghandha tkun l-istituzzjoni fejn tghinek l-opinjoni tigi furmata u fejn tistaqsi f'liema hajja tghix u mhux biex titla' f'bozza.
C.Zammit
Jan 13th 2010, 10:45
@ A. Gauci Cunningham. You must be joking to compare Becky or other T.V. programs to the filth published by this youth. I have read the story & it's pure filth and degrading women. If some part of the Maltese popultaion talks like that I think he should keep it to him self. It's not something we don't know that some youths talk like that. But they are just scum of the earth. Degrading women in such way is not a nice thing at all. If anyone has these type of sexual fantasies I think yes he should be locked up if speaks of them open or writes about them.
Joe Portelli
Jan 12th 2010, 22:44
@ Pat Cammilieri You ABSOLUTLEY CORRECT.
subsidizing utilities, and same people spend their money on alcohol & clubbing , what are the priorities ? Same applies for the existance of Uni - why should it become a bed where opinions and publications are allowed willy nilly , not exactly art is it? Its common muck, and if anyone wants to read, write or publish such muck there are plenty of other avenues but Universities should not be the place.
Politicians are not know for their moral obligations, all they are know for is to offer sympathy be it accidents, deaths and even published muck, as long as there is the potential to fool people and get sympathy in return and ofcourse their VOTE. Disturbing level some folks are willing to go too.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 12th 2010, 22:44
Kien affarija li naqra din il-bicca litteratura. L-ewwel nett, prosit li l-awtur kiteb bil-Malti. Il-kitba kienet fl-ewwel persuna, ghalhekk ezempju ta' verizmu Malti. Ghaldaqstant, l-uzu ta' ewfemizmi kien ikun barra loku. Haga wahda sibt ta' oggezzjoni - meta rrifera lejn l-imperfezzjoni ta' sider il-mara meta tilhaq certu eta'. Fi kliem iehor, pregudizzju kontra l-eta'.,
Kif kienet tghid ommi - 'il-hazin tajjeb tkun tafu. Hazin meta taghmlu'. She was a good woman but not pious, thank goodness. They are the worst. To guarantee their salvation they bring discord even among those one would think they should love and cherish.
rene joseph
Jan 12th 2010, 18:55
@ at PAt "I too don't want my taxes to fund obscenities." ... Realta newspaper is not funded by taxpayers' money but is published from donations, which people make. As for 'trash' and 'filth' - you might want to visit the University library and any bookshop, you'll find some naughty books to be scandalized about.
As for the utility bills - good to know that you enjoy being 'taken for a ride' ... though would have preferred to use another term. guess which one it is?
A.Gauci Cunningham
Jan 12th 2010, 15:37
@Pat Camilleri---And who decides whether something is"trash" and "filth"? You?? I guess not, right!? I thought and still think that Becky for example was the pinnacle of trash and a dishonour to all those talented actors out there. But did I or the many who harbour a similar opinion decide that it shouldn't be screened? I think that a reality show were a couple of people went to Comino, twiddled their thumbs and played stupid games was a waste of my time and ranked very low in my list of what I consider to be quality! Did I protest? No! I just zapped to another channel! By the by, thanks for the finance lesson on how to budget our money better but I fail to see how it's related to the topic here!
Noel Zarb
Jan 12th 2010, 14:49
This is like when the word Z*bb was said for the first time on TV...a national issue pfft....then we are all freedom of speech.
We have to stop acting the saints....and think how many times we swear in front of children and how many times we let our children watch violence on TV.
Ok, the article was a bit tooo vile, but please...not all of us know what the children are up to when they are online. By supporting freedom of speech, does not mean we support the article. We support the fact that people are free to right what the hell they want.
To learn how this is done...tune in to any british private tv channel to see the language used...the language of the street (including F-words).
pat camilleri
Jan 12th 2010, 14:32
I have always believed that university is a place for further education, and not a place where in the guise of education one will is allowed to publish trash and filth. Yes i agree with ms spiteri, I too don't want my taxes to fund obscenities.As for the water and electricity charges, well why on earth should the government subsidise these commodities?We have had help from the government for ages.Its about time we grew up and paid our way. If people can afford to have two, three or 4 cars in one family, then they can afford to pay the new charges for essentials. We never had a car until my husband and I had been working for a long time, and paid for it in full , as we do with all our bills.
John Falzon
Jan 12th 2010, 14:13
Geez how uptight people can be. It's just a story for heaven's sake ! Ok, it a pornographic and descriptive story, and, unusually, one written in maltese, so I guess that automatically makes it really filthy - for some. Myself, well I found it expressed very well the reality out there especially with many of the younger mindset (but not exclusively so) . I also found some of the graphic descriptions FUNNY, such as the part where the woman's "bottom" is described. yes, most probably it would be an overload for many of the sheltered minds we are surrounded by, but for those who actually do read books, it was just another story, no more no less, with some food for thought throw in for good measure. After that we got on with our lives and I, at least, certainly did not keep a copy for later reference.
Michelle Borg
Jan 12th 2010, 14:02
@ Mr. Gauci Cunningham - Well said!
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Jan 12th 2010, 13:03
@Claire Spiteri---It has by now become rather customary for those who lack a solid argument on these commentary spaces to tell others to pack and leave this island. If people like Mrs.Spiteri had their way we would have to load ships full of Maltese, who in some way or another fail to conform, and kick them off the island. For people like Mrs. Spiteri you're either as white as snow (never mind that Maltese aren't white) or else you're out, you're either holier than Ratzinger or else you'll be driven off this island, you're either a closeted gay or else Malta is not the place for you. As always these silly arguments are pepperd with ".....cause I pay taxes..." as if the liberal minded and those who are "different" don't pay taxes too. Regarding your daughter; well what can I say? If your daughter gets traumatised just by reading about the harsh reality surrounding us ,where many Maltese guys unfortunately treat women worse than chattel, than I suppose you've been keeping her in a 'protective cage' for far too long!!
Maria Bonnici
Jan 12th 2010, 12:18
Remove all kinds of censorship means that we are going to allow also all kinds of pornography. As a parent of young children I am vociferously against this happening.
By all means censorship laws should be updated but it would be a grave mistake to remove censorship completely.
I read the article in question and found it to be disgusting both as a women and as a mother of tywo young girls.
DID JOSEPH MUSCAT READ THE ARTICLE??!
S Fenech
Jan 12th 2010, 12:12
@ claire spiteri - may I ask what happened to your daughter? why did she read it after all?? pfff she is over 18 years if she is at university, let her live her life. She should have been the one to put the comment on the blog and not you mama.
Claire Bonello
Jan 12th 2010, 12:09
@ Claire Spiteri - Get over it. The story is not exceptionally horrific. It's a realistic portrayal of what some men are like. As for your daughter being traumatised - she must lead a very sheltered life and will be shocked to the core when she realises that horrible evil corrupt people exist....even in Malta. Sadistic men, violent men, sex-obsessed men and paedophiles exist everywhere and Malta is no exception. This is a story about one such man......no need for the smelling salts just a good dose of common sense.
Chris Reiff
Jan 12th 2010, 11:07
To all of you people criticising Joseph Muscat, I have two words: political fanatics. Stop wasting your time insulting the other party members, and start doing something constructive, seriously.
I'm no big fan of Muscat, not at all, but he has a right to express his opinion, and his opinion is a good one. Freedom of expression must be protected. Otherwise, what do we do without freedom? To all you political fanatics, don't you think the 1980s were bad enough?
Mark Anthony Bugeja
Jan 11th 2010, 20:07
@ E. Vella
L-artiklu vera li hu miktub bi kliem dispreġattiv, imma li tinjora r-realta li jeżiżtu nies sessiti li jaħsbu bħal karattru li kien deskritt fin-novella, huwa bħal meta 'ostrich' iddefes rasu ġol-art biex mingħalih qed jiddefendi lilu innisfu. Alex Vera Gera bl-istil ta kitba tiegħu qed ilkoll itina daqqa ta'ħarta f'wiċċna biex nqumu mir-raqda li aħna reqdin u naffaċjaw xienu jiġri f'pajjiżna. Sur Vella bil-kummenti tiegħek qed turina li inti ma fhimtx l-skop tal-awtur.
Sfortunatament f'dan il-pajjiz tirrenja mentalita insulari li ma għarfitx il-mixja taż-żmien. Kaz ieħor ipokrita, ta'ċensura huwa meta Mario Azzopardi (li illum għandu fama mondjali), fis-sittinijiet ippreżenta dramm intitolat "Twieqi fuq Strada Stretta", li jitratta l-prostituzzjoni fi żmien l-inglizi. Dan sab ħafna bsaten fir-roti u spiċċa ma tellaw qatt. L-ironija hi li erbgħin sena wara dan d-dramm ġie mtella f'pajjizna u ġie aċċetat mil-bord taċ-ċensura! Dan juri kemm il-poplu Malti jdum ma jaċċetta stil ta kitba gdida.
Dan il-kaz huwa serju ħafna għaliex qedgħa tiġi ikkundanata il-liberta tal-ħsieb, li suppost qed inħħadnu f'dan il-pajjiz! Jiena nsaqsi aħna ħa nergaw immoru lura għal-żmien il-komunisti fejn kittieba kbar bħal Pasternak u Dostoevsky ġew iċċensurati u eżiljati minn pajjizhom?
Michael Buttigieg
Jan 11th 2010, 19:32
Before rushing to agree or disagree, I strongly recommend that you all read this piece of writing. Putting it in the same clas as Lawrence, or any other classic writer or writing, makes the mind boggle. And, Monique, yes I did read your impressive list and some, but none of them shocked me by the baseness of its (lack of) sentiment. Extolling rape and sodomy on under age girls is by no stretch of the imagination, however liberal it may be, JUST NOT ON.
G.Mangion
Jan 11th 2010, 19:03
@ all Reds.
MIN JINSA IL - PASSAT, JERGA ISOFRI FIL - FUTUR !!!
U IL PASSAT KATASROFIKU GHALL MALTA, DEJJEM KIENET IL POLITIKA TA mlp :)
Fullstop, Viva ..............
g.portelli
Jan 11th 2010, 17:18
Now that we know that both Dr. Muscat as leader of the opposition and Dolores Christina the minister responsible for Education and culture would like to see outdated censorship laws revised how fast will they act? It seems there is some form of consensus here. The new cultural policy document alludes to these changes however, it remains to be seen how fast this legislation is going to be driven through parliament.As Ms. Christina and the pro-rector of the university Dr.Lauri noted, Mr. Camilleri will be prosecuted even though a change in the law is envisaged. Far from it being the agenda of the University of Malta to lead the way in reforming outdated and undemocratic laws. The hypocrisy is mind numbing. Is Mr.Camilleri's arraignment some form of appeasement to the conservative sector before introducing change? What are the authorities saying? "Don't want to change the law really, but we have no choice, we have to give in to the 'liberal' demands because that is what the 'people' seem to want therefore we will prosecute Mr. Camilleri". Utterly pointless prosecution! Should the Prime Minister care to comment on freedom of artistic expression in a European democracy it would be much appreciated.
C.Zammit
Jan 11th 2010, 16:02
@ Monique Aguis - What he wrote is no work of art. It is just rubbish. How can you compare lady chatterly to this. There was no obsene language in Lady Chatterly.It just had a sexual content that's all but nothing obsene. Yes someone still needs to keep some law or control. The story published by Maltese student is obsene and can't even be classified as erotic fiction. Not even De Sade's works was obsene like this one. So the only way he learns is to get a fine or few months in prison. Monique a classic is a classic and art is art but this is purely work that belongs in the bin!!!!
C.Zammit
Jan 11th 2010, 15:52
This is Malta's future prime minister? Wow! Shame on him to accept such rubbish. This young editor broke the law. Now he has to pay for it. He needs to respect the law , women as they are not his garbage bag and also other people around him!
As for the electricity bills Joseph seems like he is a stuck tape recorder and always saying the same thing. YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU USE! The country is not poor! The problem in Malta is that everyone wants everything for free. Nies mejtin bil guh!
clare spiteri
Jan 11th 2010, 15:44
Thank God that some people on this island still have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. I have read the trash, the obscene trash that was written. Not worth the paper it was written on , and I for one do not want my hard earned cash to pay for these, so called students to remain at fhe university of Malta. It these individuals find these islands and the public institutions too restrictive, or claustophobic, then I suggest they leave and settle in another country where the law is not so particular. My daughter, also at the university was quite traumatized with the whole episode.Mr Joseph Muscat, many of us have noted how you stand on this issue.
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Jan 11th 2010, 15:01
Censorship is one of the worst forms of oppression in a country which claims to be democratic. Not only does it betray people's right to read, watch and buy anything they decide to but it is also the promotion of a nanny state where the authorities (whoever they might be) think have the power to watch something and decide whether I am allowed to do the same, its like saying "hey I'm such an artistic intellectual that I can dictate to you what to watch in your little life ....you low life, half-brain celled human and member of the great unwashed" Sorry but I don't accept this! The Government or the Church or some ultra conservative somebody has no right to treat me or anyone else as if I were their property, as if I have to conform to their stringent rules. I believe that people of a certain age are responsible and intelligent enough to decide what to believe, what is quality and what is crap, to decide between the "worth listening to" and the "not worth wasting time on". People dont need an out-dated board to tell them what's good for them.........
Joseph A Borg
Jan 11th 2010, 14:11
what a load of drivel many of the comments are! Little minds who cannot differentiate this from the usual political pettegolezzo and treat everything like it's minestra tan-nanna.
The only comments that made sense here where those asking what the KSU is doing. I'm sorry but when students protest in France and Greece they find sanctuary in the university. I fully expect the University to give all the legal support necessary to Mark Camilleri and Vella Gera otherwise all the prime minister's talk on creating innovation through independent and enquiring minds is all hot air. We need students who push the boundaries of the status quo. We need to pull ourselves of this miasma of small thinking and not be afraid to explore and fail.
It was hilarious reading some commenters waiting for the minister to dictate what we should think! Sheeple!
Alexander Farrugia
Jan 11th 2010, 13:30
Mr. Martinelli, just because, according to your calculations, an average of almost 9 Euros were given for charity recently does not mean that every person in Malta forked out 9 Euros for charity. That's just the average value. If a quarter of the population gave 29 Euros, half the population gave 7 Euros and the remaining people gave nothing, that would still amount to an average of 9 Euros, even though clearly 3/4 of the population wouldn't have afforded to provide more than 7 Euros for charity.
J.Cauchi
Jan 11th 2010, 13:05
Well done Joseph for speaking out against mediocrity and prosit for plans to push a bill against censorsip in Parliament......unfortunately for those who see only evil in Muscat and his ways they most probably vote for the Party which supports this kind of ultra-conservative inquisition and so it is rather futile of them to try and condemn Muscat when they know that he is right and that their leaders ,who hide behind a thin veil so as to run with the conservative hare and the liberal hound , are wrong
Monique Agius
Jan 11th 2010, 11:28
@Marianne Mercieca
You have read paragraphs of the story published by Mark Camilleri, but you probably have not read Anais Nin, Henry Miller, or D. H. Laurence's Lady Chatterley's lover amongst others, oh well they are considered classics nowadays.
Do University students need a 'parent' to tell them what and what not to read?
Galea. L
Jan 11th 2010, 08:12
Ernest Vella
Insejtha l-kawza li kellha ssir fil_privy Council ghaliex Ministru Nazzjonalista lanqas ried li l-gazzetta Laburista tiddahhal f'ufficini tal-Gvern? Insejt kemm il-pulizija taht il-PN sawwtu Laburisti? Insejt il-hnizrijiet li kienu jsiru fi zmien gvernijiet Nazzjonalisti fejn Laburisti kien ikollhom tikka hamra hdejn isimhom biex qatt ma jinghataw xoghol u drittijiet ohra? Insejt li fil-Furjana u l-Belt Valletta ma setghux isiru dimostrazzjonijiet taht Gvern Nazzjonalista? Kemm tinsewhom l-affarijiet li jkunu saru taht Gvern Nazzjonalista fejn tridu! Issa anki l-Musulmani trid iddahhal fil-kredu halli minghalik tipprova ggelled lill-partit mal-pajjizi Gharab? Kemm qed tinharqu b'kull ma jaghmel Joseph? Iktar ma tinharqu iktar turu kemm qed tibzghu li se jigri bikom fl-elezzjoni li jmiss.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 23:15
Does anyone here remember the 1977 movie "Raid on Entebbe"? Who censored it in Malta? and Why?
J Spiteri
Jan 10th 2010, 23:07
@Ernest Vella
"The Labour leader said that even if one did not agree with the students’ opinion, they should not be threatened with imprisonment for making this known"
Does this to you mean the same as "Lill-Dr.Muscat nghidlu li missu jisthi jaqbel ma artiklu oxxenn"????????????????
Freedom of expression does not MEAN to agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ernest Vella
Jan 10th 2010, 22:58
@ Joe...jezisti u ma jezistiex l-infern jekk nemmnu fil-liberta, lanqas hadd ghandu dritt jinsulenta is-sentimenti ta haddiehor...progressiv kemm int progressiv jekk m'hemm rispett lejn il-gid komuni nispiccaw f'pajjiz fejn min hu min fuq ikampa...
Lill-Dr.Muscat nghidlu li missu jisthi jaqbel ma artiklu oxxenn li mhux biss tkellem b'mod immorali imma fuq kollox zeffen lill-Madonna fin-nofs...jekk xi hadd jaqbez ghalih sinjal li jaqbel jekk xi hadd joffendulu l-ommu ...mela sew....kitba li toffendi s-sentimenti ta poplu ma jimpurtax...umbat tghid nofs ta kelma int u jwahlulek Libell ghax ghandhom min fejn ihalsu u nsejhu din gustizzja
Il-musulmani tajjeb li wkoll isemghu lehinhom jekk tassew hija ghal qalbhom Marija, omm Kristu...imma dan mhux ser jidher ughalhekk nittamaw biss...il-liberta ta l-espressjoni fejn jaqblilna rriduha....misskom tisthu
umbat Dr.Muscat ha jparla li l-partit tieghu kiser id-drittijiet tal-bniedem sfaccatament fit-tmeninijiet lanqas "Nazzjon" ma kienu jahmlu...dawn in-nies ghadhom jigru fil-kurituri tal-MLP - PL - LP - allajbierek kemm ghandna nies jinsew...
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 21:38
Inject a dose of information? Cannot you even reason or is it that whatever you say is the Gospel and whatever others say is twisting of information? The people made great sacrifices to give to the Strina, Dar tal-Providenza because they know that there are others who are very worse off than temselves and made sacrifices to help them. There should be no need to do so if we had a decent government but we only have a government that wastes money on non-essential things while leaving the people to suffer. The money collected by the LP showed that the people are grateful for what the LP had done for them, pensions, children allowance, minimum wage etc while the PN got its contributions from those contractors who are awarded handsome tenders. Nahseb li ahjar thallina inti sur Martinelli ghax anki supporters Nazzjonalisti qallajtilhom l-istonku taghhom bil-kitba tieghek ghax huma stess kitbulek u anki dawk kunjomhom bhalek iddisassocjaw ruhhom minnhek.
Muscat. Pat
Jan 10th 2010, 21:27
No wonder many Maltese can.t figure how a conservative political party stuck in the past could ever solve todays let alone tomorrow's problems. Incredible but true, but Dr Gonzi seem to have entered a Time Machine and pressed the button on the 1960s; in favour of censorship, against divorce,against gays and lesbians, and dividing the islands into two states; one where the good angels live ( blue eyed boys and girls) and the other, where the devil incarnate PL (and its ) supporters) live. We can do less with magic nights and cities, and cheaper ( reality) electricity water, and sewage bills.
C.camilleri
Jan 10th 2010, 21:11
@ dennis bonello
X'faqar ta ragunament u argumenti. Lanqas temmen li ghad hawn nies jahsbuha u jitkellmu bhalek.
U min fuq tiftahar li tappogja partit kattoliku.
@ martinelli
Li ngabru flus ghal karita fiz zmenijiet tal milied , ma jfissirx li ma hawnx hafna min qed ibati. Kieku qed tghix malta tkun qieghed f'pozizjoni ahjar biex tiggudika qabel titkellem.
Staqsi kemm hawn familji li ghandhom arrangament ma Water Services Corporation biex ihallsu il-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma bin-nifs ghax ip-paga mhux isservihom? Ovvjament dan int ma tistax tkun tafu.
Li tahseb li hu dritt int, u mghawweg ghal bosta familji f'malta.
Michael Vella
Jan 10th 2010, 20:54
@ A. Farrugia
In my comment i said that this applies for BOTH political parties, meaning i was not insinuating this was a problem with the LP alone. As for your reply to me, you are talking about one issue only, i.e. divorce, but unfortunately my dear labour party supporter, divorce is not the only topic on the agenda here in Malta...what about other votes in parliament? Or is divorce the single most important policy of the LP?
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 20:54
Martinelli:-
Leave charity out of political arguments. Even during the most desperate times, (such as war), people succeed to help each other - and they do well.
People in Malta are afraid of the electric bills (and other taxes). And your PM has launched the raises (or expectations of raises) just before Xmas period - creating one of the worse xmas when it comes to shopping. Very good timing by your "idejn sodi".
So it is a recession within a recession - created by your own doing.
You rememer when you used to blame shipyards for everything? I bet that if SHipyards are still operating u will be saying it is their fault that we have a recession....
jbusuttil
Jan 10th 2010, 20:51
@ L.Galea
Kindly ask your leader JM to give us at least one proposal or one idea what he would do if he as in a recession situation. People like you might convince him to try and convince us that he would be a worthy leader for our country
Mark Lombardo
Jan 10th 2010, 20:43
@Jesmond Zammit
Jesmond, il-mistoqsija tieghi kienet semplici. Se niktibha bil-Malti forsi ma fhimthiex bl-Ingliz. Il-kawza kostituzzjonali li rbaht jien din il-gimgha kontra kawza ohra imnehdija mill-ex-Sindku tal-Fgura, Anthony Degiovanni ma sehhitx fis-snin 70 jew 80, izda fl-2001 (fis-seklu 21). Din il-kawza kienet dwar id-dritt li f'socjeta demokratika jien nesprimi opinjoni minghajr ma nigi intimidat u minghajr ma jkun imxekkel id-dritt tal-espressjoni hielsa. Il-mistoqsija li ghamilt lil Joseph Muscat kienet jekk hux lest jittolera li fil-Partit tieghu ikollu nies li ippruvaw ixekklu dan id-dritt fundamentali f;socjeta' demokratika. Dan sehh meta kien f'pozizzjoni t'awtorita fi Gvern Lokali, u dan ghamlu minn fondi pubblici, li setghu intuzaw fi progetti ta' siewi ghall-komunita'. Joseph Muscat lest li jikkundanna dan l-agir li sehh minn ex-Sindku Laburista li ghadu jokkupa pozizzjoni pubblika llum? Se jitlob ghar-rizenja ta' Degiovanni minn Vici-Sindku tal-Fgura? Fatti mhux Paroli!
http://docs.justice.gov.mt/SENTENZI2000_PDF/MALTA/KOSTITUZZJONALI/2010/2010-01-08_35-2008-1_58639.PDF
Jekk trid tkun taf aktar dwar il-hidma tal-Kunsill Lokali tal-Fgura, nistiednek tattendi ghal-laqghat tal-Kunsill li huma pubblici. Il-laqgha li jmiss se ssir nhar l-Erbgha fis-7pm
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 20:42
@ Martinelli;
I was never referring to you when I said that Malta ws not hit by recession - but I do remember Gonzi saying so very clearly - up to a few weeks ago.
He is being very vague on this recession - because PN ALWAYS preferred to protray an image of positiveness - even if it is obvious that we are in a recession.
I don't think you are being fair. You ask LP for answers, when PN is in government and when the election is 3 years from now.
LP already offered answers. People are not afraid of the international recession as such but are afraid of the raise in electricity bills and other taxes. That is creating the recession in the first place - or making it much worse. That is also the problem of why people are not spending money and why the government is not earning from VAT. PN is worsening the recession. Now we are taxing tourism - which is supposed to be helped in a difficult period.
What other answers do you want? It seems to me that PN is "bahri tal-bnazzi" and now without money - they are falling apart.
J Martinelli
Jan 10th 2010, 20:30
@ Galea. L
As usual you manipulate anything which comes your way and nothing is different this time.
You first agree that when people spend less, government revenue goes down, but then you give it a quick twist to inject a dose of misinformation, just to be you!
You said that people spending less is proof that they do not have the money to spend. Is that so?
Well, the people of Malta and Gozo proved you wrong not two weeks ago when out of no money you claim they have, they donated a grand total of 2.33 million euro to MCCF. On top of that, a week later, they donated another 617,000 euro to d-Dar tal-Providenza, two weeks earlier 411,000 euro to the PN and a week before that, 210,000 euro to the LP. That comes to a total of more than 3.567 million euro or, 8.92 euro per man woman and child living in Malta! Not bad for a country whose people have run dry, are overtaxed, unable to pay their electricity bills, starving, losing their homes and lining up for a bowl of soup in some charity kitchen!
Hallina Galea.
Andrew Cumbo
Jan 10th 2010, 20:27
@Dennis Bonello
Ma tarax mhux ha nirripondi lil xi hadd bhalek. Hu pjacir bi rebha tal partit tieghek u bil maggoranza ta' 1618 vot li qieghed issarraf f magoranza ta siggu fi parlament.
Andrew Cumbo
I.D.94774 M
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jan 10th 2010, 20:26
What the recession has got to do with this article beats me...Are thing so confusing in Canada?
J Martinelli
Jan 10th 2010, 20:14
@ Manuel Micallef
You obviously have a comprehension problem because I never ever said that the recession did not hit Malta. I challenge you to find one such quote. I did however, on several occasions and based on fact, said the recession did not hit as bad as many other countries and world data confirms that. Even the EU placed Malta as one of the three least affected employment-wise, and this is only the other day. Check the facts please!
In any recession, people buy less for two reasons: they lose their jobs or are afraid of losing their job. So, stoking the fires of doom as the PL does all the time , causes a deeper recession and when people don't buy, VAT revenue goes down, shopkeepers start laying off people and the dog starts chasing his own tail. I hope you understand that much!
What I would have expected from the LP is to be honest and tell us, had they been in power, how else they would have handled the situation.
By cutting the surcharge in half and raising your taxes to make up for the difference? I thought everybody hates taxes, including you!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jan 10th 2010, 20:13
At first I thought Dennis Bonello was being humorous, and kept on reading in a vain attempt at finding the punchline.,..
This guys serious.,...I wonder how many votes he's just cost the Pn....Keep it up Dennis old boy!
ALEX GENUIS
Jan 10th 2010, 20:13
@D.bonello.christian values/?l-interdett ftuh il-ghajn??tuza lill kristu???RED ELVES???min tahseb li int???mahruqin???biex??b'gunju li ghadda???int tiggalingja???jahasra,jahasra,min qal li malta mhux kattolika???X'ghandhu x'jaqsam!!!!!int tahseb ghax jien laburist inferjuri ghalik????hekk tahseb???malta tal maltin???meta??meat ma stajt tmur imkien u malta indipendenti??il-knisja tatni l-identita???u l-pn???l-identita tajili il-mlp u MINTOFF,meta kellhu l-guts lqaccat l-inglizi u jghamel lil Malta repubblika!!!!HEMM jien hadt l-identita,meat l-bandiera maltija hadet post dik ingliza u l-pn qabel ukoll!!!!INT TGHID LI INT KATTOLIKU u tghajjar lill min hu laburist ELVE???HALLINI MAN,ISSA GHADA MUR KUN TA L-EWWEL U TQARBEN!!!!KATTOLIKU!!!
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 20:12
@ Maria Bonnici _ I don't beleive you votes LP in the MEPs election. Anyway that is your business. But the reasons you gave for not trusting LP seem trivial -
@ Denis Bonnello - Denis, of course it is difficult to reply to you!! you leave us speechless!! you said :- "Dak kien intenzjonat biex iservi ta ftuh il ghajn"; are you serious? So, by the same measure Labourites could say that whatever happened in the 80s happened to "open your eyes", no? but they probably don't, becasue they realise certain things shouldn't have happened - as they are civilised persons - unlike yourself?
Imagine having your father and mother burried fil "mizbla" - how would you feel? pruod to be Maltese? But let's not mention these episodes.
You agree to send this young author to prison, don't you?
Marianne Mercieca
Jan 10th 2010, 20:09
Didn't read the comments below but read some paragraphs of the story in question. If the university accepted that kind of trash in a publication distributed among its' students, then I can truly say that we're fastly moving downhill. Well done Mr. Rector. The story is nothing but trash, trash, trash, it lacks everything that a piece of literature might have. No quality. The editor should have thought twice before publishing this rubbish. Veru ghandna biex niftahru eh!!
D. Xerri
Jan 10th 2010, 19:57
@M.Bonnici
Last June i voted Labour in the MEP elections and did so with a heavy heart.
Smile - Youre on Candid Camera :~)
Weve heard this GonziPN`ers statement so many times - Please the maltese are not that stupid - STOP pushing the PN agenda with such past tense propaganda !
The Year is Now Two O one O You know.
There is so much Freedom of Expression in Malta under the GonziPN Govt that even PN People cant even stand Someone expressing his view about Freedom of Expression - Just what Joseph Muscat did - Grow Up if Youre Proud to be Maltese and European Please and do let others express their view even if that view is not what you think or better the person saying it is not whom You like !!
C. Bartolo
Jan 10th 2010, 19:50
@ PN apologists:
History has proven that the PL is the party that has always put the people's interest first. Another case in point is this case, as the PL is the only one of the largest two parties in Malta to have expressed some sort of opinion. In my book Gonzi is the opportunistic one as he is still gauging the public opinion; trying to score cheap political points by not voicing an opinion.
And by the way, Joseph Muscat has all the characteristics of being a great PM for he is not afraid to take on the controversial issues. He is not backing away from the change that is happening in the Maltese society, but rather embracing it and moving ahead with the times. Unfortunately for us youth, there are those who do not want this change to happen. They want the people to remain ignorant and blindfolded, but once again, thanks to the PL, the people will be put first and their rights will be safeguarded.
Now is not the time to look back to the 60's; but time to face the future and try to lift ourselves from the mess the PN has us all in!!
Dennis Bonello.
Jan 10th 2010, 19:34
@J Axiaq
Andek mitt ragun. Joe Muscat huwa dizastru, aghar minn ta qablu. The only party that Malta needs is a party with Christian values, like the PN. Mhawnx post l MLP hawn f Malta. Malta hija kattolika. Harsu biss lejn il kostituzjoni tahha, u taraw. So dear red elves grow up, and thank the church and the PN for giving you an identity.
@Alex g.
L interdett? Dak kien intenzjonat biex iservi ta ftuh il ghajn, izda serva biex johloq speci ta taparsi martri socjalisti, li imbad kienu kwazi qerdulna pajjiz. Il PN huwa l uniku partit tal maltin ghal maltin, li jaghmel gid, u jmexxi dan il pajjiz il quddiem. So dear red elves hands off our maltese identity (that is PN, and the Church).
Jekk thossukom daqsekk mahruqin, inghaqdu mal PN, u tigu parti mill partit tar rebha, u mhux parti minn partit li mhawnx postu f Malta taghna.
I challenge you to answer this comment.
Marisa Borg
Jan 10th 2010, 19:29
Din hi l-problema b'Joseph Muscat - fuq issues bhal din tac-censura effettiv imma mbad fqir wisq fuq policies ghax qadt ma jghid xejn gdid u ta' sugu..
Jien dejjem emmint li Joseph jaghmel leader ta' pressure group jew student organisation tajjeb imma zgur mhux ghal kariga ta Prim Ministru
Maria Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 19:06
I can easily fit myself into the 'disgruntled nationalist ' category, not because Lawrence Gonzi is not a safe pair of hands at the helm but because certain cabinet members are distant from the people especially nationlists like me.
Last June i voted Labour in the MEP elections and did so with a heavy heart.
I was flirting with the idea of doing so come next election, but how i changed my mind! I simply cannot get myself to trust Dr. Muscat with the future of my children...there is no substance at all in what he says! Ok I agree with his stand on the censorship thing but for God's sake didn't he have anything more important to say in his first interview this year??!
If an election were to be held today i would go and vote PN minghajr l-icken dubbju!
alex genuis
Jan 10th 2010, 18:54
regim??drtitt ta l-espressjoni??taht il-pl kont tkun mahqur???tal il-labour saru biss affarijiet li mhux suppost??eh?fis 60'???tkun laburist jidfnuk bla sagramenti,FIL-MIZBLA!!!!!tizzewweg fil-genb tal-knisja!!!!jghajjruk KOMUNIST!!!!Tiftakru??gejjin il-komunisti????gejjin l-gharab???jekk jitilqu l-ingli\zi mmutu bil-guh???l-orizzont ridt tahbija!!!!tiftakruh lill de gray???jew kontu BABIES ghadkhom???jew ma QALULUKHOMX fuqu!!!!l-interdett???habs ghax tipprotesta konta l-inglizi!!!!malta indipendenti u ma tistax tidhol il-marsa,pembroke,hal-farrug,l-imtarfa,st.andrew!!!!mass meeting laburista daqq tal-qniepen,jahslu l-art bil-perfum!!!!!!dritt tal-esrpessjoni????kull partit ghandhu s-sabih u L-IKRAH tieghu!!!!KOLLHA!!!!IL pl gab malta hielsa verament minghajr qatra demm!!!!!bla vjolenza!!!!!SSEMMU kollox,JOSEPH jirkeb il-karru????x'memorja qasira ghandkhom!!!!!halluna,malta ma twielditx fil-1987 tafhux,hafna snin QABEL!!!!HAFNA QABEL!!!!!!
J Axiaq
Jan 10th 2010, 18:53
The more Muscat speaks the more ho convinces me that he does not have what it takes to be Prime Minister.
He never comes up with concrete policies and what he does is that he sees the most controversial thing being given importance in the newspapers, keeps mum for a long time then reads the comments of the people in blogs like these sees what the most popular feeling is and takes a stand accordingly.
This is petty politics; populist at its best ... I'm sorry but he is not prime ministerial no matter how hard he tries!
jesmond zammit
Jan 10th 2010, 18:37
@mark lombardo
minflok tattakka lil vici sindku ahjar tqumu qawma mir raqda int inkluz u taghmlu xi haga fil fgura int ma tezistix u s sindku ghal pozi qiad .meta sar xi haga l fgura kienet taht is sur degiovanni
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 18:04
Peter Bonnici
Yes they do but PL history shows that the PL keeps its promises while the PN does not. Have a look at my other postings at what the PN promised the Drydocks workers throughout its various electoral manifestos and see whether they kept their promises. I can quotes many other instances, but I think that you will findd that these are enough. If not I can quote you more.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100110/local/voluntary-sector-controversy-should-make-it-stronger-pm
Michael Seychell
Jan 10th 2010, 17:53
The writer and publisher know that blasphemic in Malta is against the law, yet in their cae, more so the author, did not blaspheme during an argument, but was well aware of what he was writing, and he knew also that what he wrote will be repeated loudly or mentally by whoever reads his piece.
The publisher should have been aware that underaged students attend University for various reasons, even though they are not University students, therefore distributing written blasphemy, not to mention pornography, openly in the precinths is also against the law.
I have purpoosely refrained from involving christian teachings or values, but the Civil Laws must be resp[ected, and the Police are duty bound to take action when these are breached.
Having stated this, I hope that when and if the case is referred to the Court, and if a guilty verdict is reached, the presiding magistrate should take in consideration all the circumstances, including the possibility that the writer wanted to convey a positve message through his novel.
Regarding JM/MLP they will do everything to obtain power, for the sake of POWER, even defy all Institutions, and promise heaven on earth, despite their past.
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Joseph Schembri
Jan 10th 2010, 17:52
We are so far behind other European countries. Go see what is normal for fellow Europeans, the Spaniards, here: http://malta-exposed.blogspot.com/2010/01/defiled-children-sic.html
e galea
Jan 10th 2010, 17:49
@Albert Leone Ganado
Well Albert, the official student body (KSU) is pretty sitting on the fence. How can they show solidarity (even if they would like to) with Mark Camilleri and Alex Vella Gera when the authorities are taking legal action against the two and the Minister didnt utter a single word on this case. The blue eyed boys (or girls for that matter) will never go against anything that emanates from id Dar Centrali or the Office of the Prime Minister. Why? Because they will be working there in a couple of years time. Let me give you some names of past KSU Presidents and where they work nowadays:
Karl Gouder (information secretary PN - works at Dar centrali)
David Herrera (works at the office of the Prime Minister)
Emanuel Delia (Austin Gatt`s right hand man)
David and Paul Gonzi (says it all)
and those were just the Presidents. I can give you a list of those who had other positions and most probably it will resemble something like the PN candidates list of the last 2 general elections
These are facts.
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 17:48
@ PN supporters:-
Tell us straight - do you agree this lad should be prosecuted and possibly go to prison? YES or NO? that is the topic.
The topic is not 30 or 40 years ago. You know, 40 years ago the church used to ring the bells so that MLP supporters don't hear Mintoff speaking during his meetings... But these are times gone, and let's talk fo today - 2010!!
You agree that a lad should be prosecuted? For what seems to be a "slightly" sexual publications given to univeristy students - who are supposed to be intelligent and mature enough to handle this?
YOU AGREE OR NOT? and what does your leader think?
@ Martinelli:-
Now you admit that government revenue is down. Then how come Gonzi used to say that recession did not hit Malta? only very very recently he mentioned that we have a recession. You see, first you have to objective and say it as it is, and then you start to tackle the problems. We cannot do it with PN though, as they continue to paint gold, when in fact we have a deep recession!
A Farrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 17:24
This clearly shows what I`ve been saying for yonks. This government is a bully and a control freak, past its sell-by date and it will say and do anything to stay in power at the expence of what is good for the country. Civil liberties in Malta will never see the light of the day because we have a conservative Government that is stuck in the past.
All the PN apologists should hang their head in shame!
@ Michael Vella
Your words "How can Joseph Muscat seriously stand up and talk about freedom of expression when nobody within the labour party has the freedom to freely express himself (i.e. unless this goes in favour of their political propoganda) or vote freely in parliament without succumbing to the wrath of thier political party". How wrong you are my dear. Lets take the issue of the divorce in Malta. Joseph Muscat has already promised that he will be giving a free vote to all Labour MPs in Parliament. What about Lawrence Gonzi? He did pretty nothing. Zero.Zilch. Just sitting on the fence. The two things Gonzi appears hesitant to embrace are policy and making difficult decisions. That is why PN is knackered.
albert leone ganado
Jan 10th 2010, 17:11
It would be interesting to know where the university student body stands in all this. One would have expected them to react one way or another. However the majority seem to be well tutored by their academic staff never to express an opinion on controversial matters other than on stipends. Let us as a truly academic community delight and be happy in churning out intellectual babble intended solely to gild the ivory tower and ignore real societal issues.
By the way I forget our University includes departments of the Humanities , Law, Theology and Philosophy who do have a pitch somewhere on campus.
Jeremy Zammit
Jan 10th 2010, 16:34
I don't know why this story is being described as sexual violence here. There was no violence in it when I last read it on malta-exposed ...just the sort of language I hear at my local band club. No, actually there is a lot more blasphemy there
Frans Sammut
Jan 10th 2010, 16:22
@James A. Tyrrell
All Maltese are equal. But some are more equal than others.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 16:12
Galea, he can promise action, not price. but they all promise action don't they?
E Vella
Jan 10th 2010, 16:11
@ Christian Ellul
"L-Universita' ta' Malta hija taghna l-istudenti Maltin u ta' hadt aktar!!..."
Jekk l-Universita' ta' Malta hija ta' l-istudenti biss ghamlulna pjacir u ibdew hallsu l-mizata u mhux inhallsulkom il-mizata u nghatukom l-istipendju mit-taxxi taghna.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 16:03
J Martinelli
If government income was reduced notwithstanding the increased taxation tariffs etc, doesn't it mean that people are not spending as they used to? And does that not mean that people do not have the money to spend and that they are holding to the little money they have because they are so afraid about the future? What about the nice picture of the Nirvana that you usually present that we are living in in Malta in your writings? Which one is right Martinelli?
Peter Bonnici Appuntu Bonnici. They can be reduced not by guaranteeing the price of oil, but by getting rid of the inefficiencies and incompetence with which EneMalta has been burdened, especially by those who take illogical decisions. How about having a bill of some €90,000 outstanding and electricity not cut off because you happened to be a relative of someone at EneMalta while other with an outstanding bill of a few euros have their electricity cut off and have to pay a fine besides the bill and also to have the electricity back? Have a look at Il-Kulhadd where the fact was published and never denied by EneMalta.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 10th 2010, 15:56
What a lot of fuss because we got to know the bare facts.
J Spiteri
Jan 10th 2010, 15:40
So .... till now we've seen Alternattiva Demokratika and Partit Laburista AGAINST this charge.
Excuse me ..... any feedback from PN????? Halllooooo???? Anyone there??????
C. Mizzi
Jan 10th 2010, 15:34
Totally agree with Joseph Muscat that LP should take all necessary measures for civil liberties to be safeguarded and that freedom of expression should be defended. For the sake of credibility, Joseph Muscat should now defend the ex-GWU section secretaries which were censored and removed from their jobs by the Central Administration of the GWU simply for expressing their views way back in 2006. If Joseph wants us to beleive his actions today he must be consistent and condemm whoever impose censoship and deny freedom of expression. We wait and see.
t abela
Jan 10th 2010, 15:31
@giovdemartino
mela insejtu d dnub il mejjet, mela insejt li jekk taqra l helsien taghmel dnub mejjet, mela insejt li l helsien ma seghtitx tidhol fli sptarijiet? mela insejt il mizbla fejn kont tindifen jekk tkun laburist? insejtom dawn u hafna affarijiet ohra li ghaddejna minnhom ahna l laburisri? jew dak iz zmien ko0nt tghix fil qamar? hallina fil kwiet siehbi ghax kull minn jgholli idejh isib xi jxomm
Andre Schembri
Jan 10th 2010, 15:31
@Christian Sciberras - ps no one was undressed during the production of ir-realta`! (I assume)...
however if that was the case its also nothing new in the world , there are films were actors are nude and they are not all rated 18+
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 15:31
@ Galea L. Appuntu !
Michael Vella
Jan 10th 2010, 15:21
How can Joseph Muscat seriously stand up and talk about freedom of expression when nobody within the labour party has the freedom to freely express himself (i.e. unless this goes in favour of their political propoganda) or vote freely in parliament without succumbing to the wrath of thier political party. This goes to both parties by the way not simply the LP. When an MP votes according to his beliefs in Malta he gets slaughtered, whilst this is common practice in most democracies around the world.
J Martinelli
Jan 10th 2010, 15:14
I will not comment on Joseph's opinion about the piece of trash published in ir-Realta but I do have a comment about the 15 million euro spent by the government to protect employment, the deficit rising to 300 million and asking where the difference went.
First of all, as an economist he should know that if the spending remained the same but the government revenue decreased, then the deficit is due to the decreased revenue.
While it is unlikely that all the difference between revenue and expenditure was solely due to a decrease in government revenue, then as a leader of the Opposition he can surely obtain the necessary information from government and NSO sources, if he is the least inclined to.
There is not the least bit of evidence that Joseph is implementing his own solemn promise of instituting 'a new way of doing business'. That promise was made a year and a half ago.
G Bugeja
Jan 10th 2010, 15:10
@GiovDeMartino
It's about time you turn Labour. If you were hurt by the censorship in the 80s, realise that we are reliving those days under a nationalist regime. I simply love it when you guys remind us how bad the situation was 30 years ago, because you are subconciously tell us that we have gone around a full circle ... just under a different regime.
Time for change folks.
Christian Sciberras
Jan 10th 2010, 14:39
Christian Gatt - They weren't there in the first place. One doesn't express his "opinion" by posing nude in the public.
Christian Gatt
Jan 10th 2010, 14:23
Were has the freedom of expression rights gone? And would the same action be taken if it was not a leftist related organisation ??
Mark Lombardo
Jan 10th 2010, 14:12
If the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Muscat pretends to be taken seriously when he speaks about the Right of Freedom of Expression, he should lead by example.
Will the Malta Labour Party ask for the resignation of Labour Councillor and Vice-Mayor of Fgura, Mr Anthony Degiovanni from the Fgura Local Council , after both the Local Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights declared in two separate libel cases, that legal proceedings started by the mentioned Anthony Degiovanni were in violation of Article10 of the Convention of Human Rights, and article 41 of the Constitution of Malta?
Stephen Borg Cardona
Jan 10th 2010, 14:00
Why is Joseph Muscat only commenting now when the Police have taken action ?
Dominic Fenech
Jan 10th 2010, 13:58
Music to my ears, the kind of words that once more make one proud to be Labour.
Anthony Farrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 13:49
@Mary Pace: Yes I have read it. First of all it is fiction; secondly the author is trying to put across how some (obviously not all ) Maltese males consider women as disposable objects, to be used and thrown away.
Have you ever heard a group of men talking in an office, pub, beach,band club etc about their latest conquests among foreign students, in Paceville or their little bit on the side and so on. The idiom used mirrors that used by Vella Gera; ever heard a bus driver's comments when handing out change to female foreign students knowing that they are not understanding him? So the language used by Vella Gera comes as no surprise. Ok it may not be everybody's cup of tea, but those type of comments are more prevalent than one supposes.
Alfred Bugeja
Jan 10th 2010, 13:45
In essence, this was not a case of censorship, but more of a case of the distribution of a literary equivalent of a porn movie (which many also consider to be a form of art) to persons under age, without any forewarning. So if, we don't want to end with the accidental distribution of porn Dvds to kids, then this case has to go on, because the principle is exactly the same.
R Portelli
Jan 10th 2010, 13:39
Where is the beef dear Joseph?!
Where are your policies?
Usual bla bla ! What a disappointment this guy has become!
Anne Marie Bonello
Jan 10th 2010, 13:38
If othe countries were as ignorant and closed minded as Malta, even Picasso would have been imprisoned too...with some of the extremely vulgar paintings he has....
@JOE CUTAJAR
Im not so keen on politics, but it makes sense that a poltician voices his opinion on important matters, otherwise how will people decide who rpresents thier countrybest!!!
I guesse in Malta people tend to look at what happened years ago like our friend G .Mangion
how this country can ever improve with people living in the past and not thinking of the future is besides me...so much for people claiming to be catholic then they don't the meaning of turning the other cheek....im sure both parties did 'bad' things in the past....so geet over it now! were meant to be more civilised
J. Borg
Jan 10th 2010, 13:38
Dr. Gonzi, Dr. Mifsud Bonnici, Mr.Rizzo, Mr. Camilleri........pack your bags!
Emanuel C. Schembri
Jan 10th 2010, 13:28
@G. Mangion
You are right. But will you please explain why the police who then beat students and others, were later when PN came to power, not punished but REWARDED?
James A. Tyrrell
Jan 10th 2010, 13:24
Is Mark Camilleri the only person being brought to court regarding the publication of this story? What about others who also published it? Are they immune from prosecution?
GiovDeMartino
Jan 10th 2010, 13:24
Jekk haw xi PROXXMU WIEHED li ma ghandu EBDA DRITT jitkellem fuq il-liberta tal-kelma, dan mhu hadd hlief il-PARTIT laburista li fii zmienu jassaena f'kull sens. Liberta sabiha fi zmien il-MLP! Allahares tghid li m'haw ilma ghax jarrestawk u jittorturawk.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 13:23
@ mary pace. Well... tell us more. We didn't have the opportunity to read it because it was banned. You read it, all of it, it seems, yet you agree that I shouldn't.
Joanne Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 13:17
I assume Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins will also be taken to court and their racy fiction books will from now on be banned from all Maltese book stores right??????
O.Grixti
Jan 10th 2010, 13:15
Sending a guy in prison for an editor that was found inadequate by some??? Are we serious?? What now, banning almost all TV stations and Internet as everyday new sites are created with the possibility of non adequate material and new films and programs are produced. Come on! In my opinion leave this guy in piece from prison just give him a warning and that’s all and try to get the real criminals, those who don’t pay Vat etc, drug dealers, and corruption these should go in prison. This should be the first priority in Malta.
Another point drainage tax, is going to be subsidized for this Year??? What will happen the next year??
C.Cilia
Jan 10th 2010, 13:09
@peter bonnici.
Kieku il-kap ta l-oppozizzione kellu jghid il-lum li jekk jitla fil-gvern innaqqas il-kontijiet tad dal i l-ilma jien l-ewwel wiehed nghid li ma jafx x inhu jghid. Biex twieghed hekk trid tkun taf x'hemm fil- borma. Gonzi qieghed jaghmel mil-ahhjar li jista biex kif l-ghatu jitbexxaq xi ftit ikun pront jerga jghalqu. Huwa veru li sena u nofs ilu qallilna li il-finanzi fis-sod imma ha ha ninsab cert li hadd ma hu jemnu l-anqas l-orakli ta tal-pieta. Id-dur fejn id-dur il-politika taht dan il-gvern tant ithamget li hadd ma ghadu jemmen lil politici. Hasra, Kieku il-prim ministru kellu jilbess imqar ghal darba wahda il-libsa tal-umilta u jiehu l-ezempju ta Obhama u ghal darba jighd din tort tieghi, imma le hu qatt ma ghandu tort, dejjem tort ta l-oppozizzjoni. Halluna nghixu habib.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 13:07
@ Joseph Bartolo."The only party that has worked for freedom of belief and liberal democratic values from its beginning was the left movement in Malta. Let’s not forget the past,"......... indeed we did not forget the past, hence labour's inability to get elected for so long.
Galea. L
Jan 10th 2010, 13:06
G .Mangion and the pn apologists
Going back to history are you? That means that you have no argument to rebut what was said.
Your postings also show how much you tolerate freedom of expression of those who do not kowtow the PN and its instructions from Pieta.
JOE CUTAJAR Staqsi lil Eddie Fernech Adami kienx jaghmel hekk u lil Gonzi jekk jaghmilx hekk.
Peter Bonnici Gonzi ma riedx jaghti garanzija li jrahhas it-tariffi fi ftit gimghat kif tistenna li haddiehor jiddikjara li jrahhashom wara l-elezzjoni jekk tghidu li ghad fadal 3 snin?
A Farrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 12:59
@ Darren Muscat
The Maltese, on the other hand, are very much interested in what is going on internally in the Nationalist Party because it happens to be the party that s leading the country to. Just because I say that Joseph Muscat captured the public mood or because Labour supports the aspirations of families from low and middle incomes does not mean that whatever I say sounds like a One news bulletin. Not even when i criticise the Nationalist Party. If I thought they were good, I would say so. Or at least, given how hard I find it to be nice about anything conservative, I would say they are not bad. I can't. They are crap and if the Prime Minister thinks that if he sprays magic on a bit of I care about this and that and smiles more nicely than Mr. Bean, nobody will notice, then he is very, very wrong.
Joseph Bartolo
Jan 10th 2010, 12:52
Prosit. Any move towards the departure from medieval Roman Catholic morals limiting freedom of speech and behaviour are most welcomed. In this the 90th year of the Labour Party we should help the freedom loving Maltese know of the obscenities committed by the Maltese establishment inclusive of the Curia, and with the help of the British Imperial Government. againt the free thinking Maltese.
The only party that has worked for freedom of belief and liberal democratic values from its beginning was the left movement in Malta. Let’s not forget the past, it’s the foundation to understand the present and build for the future.
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 12:51
The logic is simple here:-
DO you agree that this young author to be brought infront of the courts to face a possible prison sentence? YES / NO?
If you are a little bit normal you would probably say NO.
Hence, everybody should have spoken to protect him, not only Joseph Muscat. Maybe so should have Gonzi....
If Gonzi doesn't speak out, that is not Joseph's fault. And Joseph Muscat has every right to speak out. FULL STOP.
I don't understnad all the twists, mentioning episodes from 30 to 40 years ago, Glenn Beddingfield case, and what eve, has to do with this. These are just deviations from the topic.
d.attard
Jan 10th 2010, 12:49
is it known when the 21 year old editor is to be arraigned in court? I extend my full solidarity to the lad that he ay not be overawed by the significant psycological pressures involved. This is an important moment for the future of a free malta when we may finally all live in respect and love through our differences. Kurgagg.
Christian Ellul
Jan 10th 2010, 12:30
@ Chantelle Mifsud... very good points indeed.
@ Joe Cutajar... many Maltese know deep inside that we are decades away from the US on this regard. As you perfectly said, if the church keeps on influencing every thing that happens on this island we can NEVER move forward. As far as i know....(ax malajr jigi xi hadd u jamili libell, ax issa hekk sirna f'dan il pajjiz)... it was a priest who reported this publication to the UOM administration...quickly removed the publication from the UOM...what a farce!!! L-Universita' ta' Malta hija taghna l-istudenti Maltin u ta' hadt aktar!!... We have the right to express ourselves, imagination should never be limited!
Darren Muscat
Jan 10th 2010, 12:27
@ A Farrugia, I am not interested about the internal troubles the PN got, maybe they deserve to be in this trouble, maybe not, the fact is I dont care, but it's like reading a One news bulletin, when reading what you wrote.
But you also said that Joseph Muscat inspires confidence! He will start working his magic on me when he actually provides a solution to these problems and PUBLICALLY STATE THEM.
That's when I'd have confidence in the new PL.
victor vella
Jan 10th 2010, 12:22
Why has Dr Muscat never expressed an opinion about the way most labour run local councils in the south of Malta abuse the warden system?I am ready to provide details.
mary Pace
Jan 10th 2010, 12:21
did any of you who wrote here, read what this student wrote?
I did, it was FILTHY,if there was a story in it , or some sort of eduction,maybe I would have understood it, but all it was about sex, nothing more,
Darren Muscat
Jan 10th 2010, 12:20
I never said that I don't agree that what they're doing is foolish, i am all for freedom of expression.
What I hate most is that Joseph Muscat is agreeing with everybody, everything, everywhere just for political milage, and we're not seeing the true Joseph muscat, because you just can't agree with everything, at least no person with ideals can.
The Leader of the Opposition is saying a whole lot of things, but does he have the ideas to implement them different? Or is it just blabber talk?
g.portelli
Jan 10th 2010, 12:19
It's encouraging that Dr. Muscat is arguing for freedom of artistic expression however will this just be lip service? Will the LP actively seek a change in anachronistic legislation regarding censorship? Artistic freedom of expression should not be subject to repressive self censorship, that is a tragedy which inhibits truth telling and is lethal to creativity and critical thinking. Democracy requires courage and action. Dr. Muscat should take the time to reacquaint himself with M.A.Vassalli's dream.
Carmel Cilia
Jan 10th 2010, 12:18
G Mangion, J. Cutajar and the rest
Imma kif ma tifilhux ghal kritika. Bil fors tridu issemmu ta tletin sena ilu. Mela blistess argument nikkundannaw lil knisja talli kienet tghid li ix-xemx iddur mad dinja. Halluna ja qabda oqbra imbajda, jekk tridu tiftakru l-imghaddi ghandkon xi xommu. Ftakru f'min ma ridx il-penznonijiet u illum jipprova jirkeb ghax ta -z-zewg terzi. ftakru f.min ivvota fil-parlament kontra il-vot tan-nisa u illum kollu tikkas etc etc. ftakru min ma ridx jaghti il- vot mat 18. Fakkru l-imghodi taghkom u dan jikkundannakom. Nismaghkom titkellmu immur infittex it tabib b'xejn u ma nsibu mskien .Nibqa il-gurnata kollha bl-istonku imdardar. Halluna.
A Zammit
Jan 10th 2010, 12:16
And not one single word about Glenn Bedingfield, his head of news, who last friday was found guilty by the Courts of inventing a story 'based on fanatasy' against Louis Galea.
How convenient Joseph!
C.camilleri
Jan 10th 2010, 12:13
@ Pn Apologists
Your comments are arrogance at its best.
Joseph muscat have ever right as a maltese citizen to express his opinion regarding this issue. He does not need your permission to air his views.
On the same issue educational minister stayed on the fence watching. If that is what she wants to do about then so be it.
Solidarity with the editor. We've been there before, not being allowed to read the party paper il-helsien in public places and hospitals.
Charles Sammut
Jan 10th 2010, 12:11
Nothing should be censored, not even such drivel as authored by Mr Vella Gera. How else would we learn of the the dubious state of mind of these people?
Censorship is like burying your head in the sand. If you prevent people from expressing themselves freely, you will not know what they are thinking.
Only the Catholic Church has found a way round this conundrum, it is called confession. It learns what its faithful are doing and thinking, but not publicly. It can then act according to the trends. No other intelligence agency in the world has such an efficient machine.
Joe Buttigieg
Jan 10th 2010, 12:06
Some time ago a fellow Gozitan wrote to his sister in Canada how was life in Gozo. One of his workmates noted what he was reading and reported him to the then MLP Gozo district office. He was attacked at his place of work by these two Labour MPs for daring to write something against the then government. To add insult to ingury he was taked to court and charged that it was him who attacked the two MPs.
Where was Joseph Muscat and his colleagues then?????
Where were the PL apologists then????
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 11:56
And, to continue. One should ask how many are ending up in prison because of corruption in Malta. The anwser is NONE. Even if we have none cases such as the VAT scandal.
And then we are ready to prosecute a young author of 21 years old and send him to prison, just because he was to liberal for the tastes of the University elites and rector.
Tal Miki Mouse. I would have been surprised if Joseph would have not mentioned this case, not the other way around.
jesmond zammit
Jan 10th 2010, 11:56
@ joe cutajar
nahseb illi inti lest li lil dan il persuna fl universita titfaw il habs ghax ura l oppinjoni tieghu ,tajjeb ukol nahseb ahjar tghidilna l karru li riekeb int . forsi mid dar centrali hekk qalulkhom tiktbu meta tibghatu kummenti fuq it times.
it tnaqqis fuq l income tax meta gej?
xaghar qabel l elezzjoni?
min sema l intervista jaf li is suggetti kienu varji imma donnu dan ta l istudent ha tiddevja mis suggetti li joseph tkellem dwarhom
bill haqq il bierah filghaxija hadd ma ra l hnizrija fuq il pbs l awards tal kunsilli ?. minjaf kieku hemm il pl fil gvern u l 1 ,2,3 ,post jerbhuh kunsilli laburisti ? il mamma mia kif iqumu l irwiefen .well done pn good propoganda
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 11:55
@ Dusty Williams. Il-problema hi li Joseph Muscat mhux qed imexxi agenda tieghu kif suppost jghamel mexxej, imma jghamel rejazzjoni biss wara illi ikun hass il-polz tal-poplu. Dih mhix tmexxija, imma opportunizmu politiku. U lanqas m'hija hdura jekk nies bhali ma jaqblux mal is-stil tieghu.
Apparti min hekk, fuq il-prezz tad-dawl u ilma, Dr Muscat ghadu ma taghax garanazija illi ser irahhas meta/jekk isir PM. Mela kif jista jattakka il Gvern fuq dan? Kieku jibqa jishaq fuq il-hela tal Enemalta intih mitt ragun jekk hemm tant hela, imma il-bqija ikun kollu kliem fierah li jghati l-impressjoni li id-dawl ser jorhos taht gvern Laburista.
Clifton Aquilina
Jan 10th 2010, 11:47
@G .Mangion
I suggest you change your calendar we are living in the 2010 .... Hello not anymore in the 90's hello wake up!!!!!!!! You know the word ""learning"" why do u still do the some """mistakes""" you???
Jeremy J Camilleri
Jan 10th 2010, 11:43
For all those comemntators, who for obvious reasons by their comments, imply that the Leader of the opposition has no right to air his views on current affairs subjects, well, eyes open, its called a democracy...
you'll just have to learn to live with it won;t you?
@Joe Cutajar
Jan 10th 2010, 11:40
Malta taparsi hafna freedom bhall-Amerka imma fil-verita` kollox il-knisja tmexxi. Kif nistghu nimxu bhala poplu matur jekk kulhadd jemmen fin-nar jahraq ta' l-infern u fil-fairy tales.
dusty williams
Jan 10th 2010, 11:39
Bhall gvern meta jipprova jaqbad ma kull bicca sulfarina biex ma jerghriqx qed tghidu? in nazzjonalisti esperti biex jaghmlu dan. U din il Hdura taghkom lejn lejn hutkom suppost maltin ghad tridu tpattuwa quddiem alla jekk taraw wiccu.
Kif fuq kollox tridu ddahhlu il politika? Tafu li ghandu ragun imma tibzaw tammettu ghax jirbhilkom l elezzjoni. Joseph valuri nsara ghandu mhux bhalkom.
Ghallinqas Joseph jitkellem ghal dawn in-nies bla sahha, iva vulnerabbli.
Chantelle Mifsud
Jan 10th 2010, 11:33
Nithaq u nibki
Jekk ikun hemm sempliciment film li mhuwiex pornografiku imma bl istrorja li iddeskriva dan editur. X jigri?
Qatt ma rajna jew qrajna films jew noveli li kien fijhom l istess bhal ma iddeskriva F din l istorja . Iva jew le?
Vera ma taghmilx sens , Ghandu dritt jikteb li irrid,Issa Aqraha jew taqrahix .
X ha jigri? Ha nimpressjonaw in-nies ?
Rajtuh xarabank fuq ix-xitan ?
Minn dahaq , minn twerwer u ma raqadc, u habiba tieghej kisira . Hemm kien u intwerra.
Issa iddecizzjoni kienet f idejhom jew tarah jew taqbad ir remote control u taqliblu.
Daqshekk dak kollox ,X jimpressjonana li irridu jimpressjonana.
U kullhadd ghandu dritt jessprimi ruhu kif irrid. Hemm xi regola fuq l ARTI ukoll ( pittura ). jew fuq MUZIKA .
Manuel Micallef
Jan 10th 2010, 11:32
I think Joseph Muscat is completely right to mention this episode.
He is the leader of the "progressive" movement in Malta and it is his duty to mention such incidents. Democratic socialists parties around the world embrace liberal ideas unlike conservative parties - and hence it is only natural that LP defends this author.
Personally, I think we are very "dojjoq" were adn with whom e want to, but not always. it is time we mature. Putting a young author in prison is wrong, just because he expressed his liberal way of thinking.
A Farrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 11:32
@ Darren Muscat
I`m afraid you are wrong again on this one. What we are seeing is a politician leading a Progressive Party that has captured the public mood. Joseph Muscat is offering clarity, leadership and is expressing the widespread sense of alienation and disappointment from the style and record of the present administration.
Not only the Labour Party is an alternative to a party in Government that growing numbers of people (including PN activists and Backbenchers) actively dislike but, more than that, it is led by a politician that captures the public mood and inspires people.
Peter Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 11:29
@ Victor Zarb. Jaqaw twelidt il-bierah? Tghid mhux ser nghatu il-kredditu lill Joseph Muscat ghal liberta' tal-espressjoni li ngawdu minnu f'Malta?
A.Busuttil
Jan 10th 2010, 11:29
@Joe Cutajar
Xi trid li kull ma jsir fil pajjiz inhalluh ghaddej?
dan il-Gvern johloq bosta karrijiet u nies bhalek jippretendu li ma jitkellem hadd
l-opozzizzjoni xogholha huwa li titkellem fuq issues importanti u censura hija ferm importanti fis sena 2010.Il Gvern u INTI qed tippruvaw tohonqu lill Kap tal Pl bic censura halli ma jitkellimx
Mario Bonnici
Jan 10th 2010, 11:25
@ Daryn Muscat & Joe Cutajar
Dr. Joseph Muscat, as a citizen, has every right to express his OPINION.
What about Dr. Gonzi? What's his opinion about this case??
So far Alternattiva Demokratika and the Labour leader expressed themselves.
What about the PN?
Marie Anne Zammit
Jan 10th 2010, 11:24
Very well done Dr. Joseph Muscat for having the courage to bring forward progressive ideas, and for safeguarding our freedom of expression.
Agnes B
Jan 10th 2010, 11:24
Well said darryn ... what we witness here is the personification of expediency or opportunism ...
Robert Borg
Jan 10th 2010, 11:22
In our country we have laws about decency, aganist blasphemy, against sexual violence etc etc. What is Joseph Muscat telling us? That when he's in power, the police won't be able to enforce such laws? Does citing freedom of expression mean that anyone can say and publish what he likes and there would be no rederss from the state or from injured or aggrieved parties? Is this what Joseph's New Labour stands for?
K Farrugia
Jan 10th 2010, 11:18
@Victor Zarb and T Mifsud
I don't think we should see Dr Muscat as the nation's saviour following this comment of his. Indeed, most of the Maltese disagree that the newspaper's editor be sent to prison. Muscat's comments was more direcedt at satisfying the public outcry than in "safeguarding the liberty of expression in Malta." Surely the Labour party never was, and I doubt if it will ever be, Malta's archetype of freedom of expression.
Joseph E Briffa
Jan 10th 2010, 11:11
This is much ado about nothing. We are in 2010 and not in the times of the Inquisition. Would a university student be prosecuted for passing on to a colleague a copy of De Camerone, or of Lolita, or Chatterly's Lover or similar on the flimsy excuse that there are under-18 students around? Malta is the only country in the EU where the age of consent is 18, in most member states this is 15 or 16, and it's 12 in the Vatican City. Anybody over 18 who has consensual sex with his/her partner of 16/17 is at risk of becoming a paedophile if, say they break up and the jilted partner wants to seek revenge by making a report to the police.. Isn't it high time this issue is addressed?
JOE CUTAJAR
Jan 10th 2010, 11:10
IMMA KIF TRID TIRKEB FUQ KULL KARRU BIEX TIEGHU VANTAG POLITKU JOE META HA TITGHALEM
victor zarb
Jan 10th 2010, 10:59
Well said Joseph,and thank you for safeguarding the liberty of expression in Malta.
darryn muscat
Jan 10th 2010, 10:59
What I am seeing, is the leader of the opposition, trying to ride every wave that passes by, he agrees with all the good things.. it's godly, we're going to be in heaven in a few years time.
G .Mangion
Jan 10th 2010, 10:50
Joseph Muscat, (The Labour leader said that even if one did not agree with the students’ opinion, they should not be threatened with imprisonment for making this known.) is that so You forgot how the Students were Beating and Humiliated Under the mlp Gov't ? It was acceptable Then.
T Mifsud
Jan 10th 2010, 10:41
Joseph well done for declaring outrightly against the outdated, hypocritical prudish mentality on this issue