Base notes

In the vernacular, we have the words vittma, tarbija, and persuna. Given that Maltese has no neuter gender, it seems that many are undecided which pronoun to use with them when they refer to a male.

Listening to a news bulletin is weird, when two different journalists (the anchor and the reporter) deploy different ones within minutes of one another. This anomaly is repeated several times throughout the day, given that updates are few and far between, even when they are called for. The same sad script is repeated to such an extent that one wonders why there has to be a newscaster on radio, when a recording would suffice.

• Some time ago, the idea was mooted to have Parliament sessions streamed live via webcam. There followed a lot of balderdash about how this would be technically difficult. There were also snide remarks about how this would encourage 'certain people' to play to the gallery; provided, of course, they were actually in the House at a time when there was no need for a quorum.

Another excuse was that the already meagre offerings on state television and the E22 channel would be further hijacked by the boring procedures. Nobody considered that some people enjoy listening to the sittings on radio. Is it so difficult to understand that many people want to see whether the people they chose to represent them are actually doing so?

Elaborating on his proposal, Nationalist MP David Agius said: "It is time that Parliament sittings are streamed live on the internet and, moreover, on television. That said, I believe this ought to be an integral part of a package that should include shorter speeches by MPs - of not longer than 15 or 20 minutes. Staff must be made available to assist MPs in their research. This would surely consolidate the constitutional theory that Parliament is the highest institution of the country, where democracy prevails and, most importantly, is seen by people to prevail."

• In a country where everything, sometimes including the weather and accidents, is politicised, it's encouraging to see a refreshing change.

DJ Charlo has launched a Facebook group intended to encourage his listeners (Super One Radio, Fridays at 2 p.m.) to donate funds and goods to the Haiti disaster victims. Interestingly, he makes no reference to entities where the money and goods are to be sent; he just urges us to be generous.

He has interviewed Charles Debono, who brought us up-to-date with what was happening at Fishermen's Wharf in Marsa. DJ Charlo has nothing but praise for the Civil Protection Department, the Red Cross Society, the St John Ambulance Brigade, and the volunteers who are giving their time, energy, and love to carry out this exercise.

•Many moons ago, people used to send letters to Rediffusion's 'request programmes' to ask for records to be played. Times change, and now this is being done online or over the telephone. Xfm 100.2 is taking a different tack on this. One hour is being put aside every weekday (between 1 and 2 p.m.) for listeners to utilise as they think best, and this includes advertising one's services and dedicating songs.

All the above shows that the internet is now so interwoven with traditional television and radio that it is hard to see the thin dividing line anymore. This was also evident in what happened when it came to giving blow-by-blow accounts of what was happening in Haiti in the first few moments after the first earthquake.

Social interaction sites provided the first coverage for television, radio and the print press, since both landline and mobile phone lines were down (Skype was still functional and enabled survivors to give eyewitness reports). Later, micro-blogging sites set up by television channels allowed rolling updates to be posted. But, of course, local stations mostly did not cotton on to these, and kept regurgitating the same spiel.

Most of us would have appreciated knowing the story of Kiki and Sabrina - although, perhaps, not of Fabienne Geismar, who had wanted something 'nice' for her family.

Sometimes, of course, this interaction between different mediums is a double-edged sword. This was shown by what happened earlier this week in central Moscow, a mere two kilometres south of the Kremlin. Hackers broke into the system for one of those wide-screen television screens set up on the main road for advertorial purposes, and sent out a pornographic clip.

Then there are those unscrupulous individuals who use television as a means to make a quick buck. Currently, on British television, there is a spate of 'we-buy-your-gold' shtick about how unused, unloved items can help pay for a holiday or a new car, or to resolve debts. The money offered is way below the market value of the piece, even taking into consideration that the workmanship is not accounted for, and the items are bought as scrap metal. At least we don't have this in Malta - here, we are just urged to buy 'special offers' for a set price.

• It is amazing how ready people are to write to the press when they perceive a problem, rather than getting information from the apposite source.

Birdlife was a production that was supposed to launch on One Television from the first Wednesday of January, at 10 p.m. This will now begin airing on February 3, the reason being that there are still episodes of Illum that have to be transmitted.

Ruth Vella of One Productions tells me that these were not broadcast because seasonal programmes were aired instead on December 23 and December 30. It would have helped had this information been given on air, though.

television@timesofmalta.com