Vetting of lyrics oppressive, says AD

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 9th 2010, 08:46

@ Sander Depasquale:

If you want to know who the real Pinocchios are, read http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100208/local/police-drop-request-for-names-of-bands

edmond baldacchino

Feb 8th 2010, 10:14

So we are still living in afganistan !?!? pot holes , scanning of lyrics , ....freedom of speech...

J Borg

Feb 8th 2010, 09:57

God forbid if this was to happen under a PL government.

Joseph Caruana

Feb 8th 2010, 09:56

@malcolm borg

most probably the police would not even understand those lyrics. And past them as gibberish

philip pace

Feb 8th 2010, 09:54

To Malcolm Borg,

As a person involved in entertainment including rock culture here in Malta for more than 30 years plus, just like you I don't like those kind of lyrics.
However, if I don't like the lyrics of a song I just don't call the police to intervene as I find it too intrusive and would be recalling the days when the Inquisition reigned supreme.
I just don't listen to that type of music which has that type of lyrics!
Just like when one watches the TV one can switch on or off.

To Sander Depasquale.

Can you please enlighten us on what are the facts that your are writing about?
We are curious to know!

As to what you wrote 'Carnival is there to be foolish but not to offend other people's believes (beliefs). At the end of the day carnival markes (marks) the beginning of lent! '



I am sure that on the next day ALL Malta would be fasting and doing penitence in our wilderness or what's left of it!!!!

Please note. Culture is constantly changing if you didn't know it or have failed to notice it!!!!!!!!!!

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 8th 2010, 09:45

If I were one of the bands, as a protest I would play all songs as instrumental (without words) and wear a sign saying "The sound of free speech".

C.Zammit

Feb 8th 2010, 09:29

As usual Rock is always attacked. Heavy Metal is always being shut down in this country.Do they know that it's very popular in Germany,Holland,Sweden,Norway,Denmark,UK,US and many other countries even in the middle east believe it or not!! As usual it's only party dance music that is tolerated in Malta. So what would they do if they have bands like Cradle of filth, opeth, Immortal,Dimmu Borgir. What would they do if these had to plat in Malta. Ban them from entering Malta. This is only being done to stop rock from becoming popular. I once remeber a gig of a Greek death metal band rotting Ch***t & they where forbidden from playing at the National pool complex bar at that time. The gig was still held but at another venue. Rock / extreme metal only suffer this as other forms of music are allowed to do whatever they like. One thing i can say when I attend to metal gigs in Malta or festivals I never saw people vomiting because they are too drunk people stoned on drugs and no fighting too. Most people go to metal / rock gigs because they really like the music.

David Borg

Feb 8th 2010, 09:21

I hope this is nothing but an early April's fool. RIDICULOUS!!!

Shame on the government for allowing this to happen. Dictatorship at its best, we're fast becoming Africa's North Korea!

laurence schembri

Feb 8th 2010, 09:11

Eventually, in the very near future we will be doing away with Carnival.

M.Pace

Feb 8th 2010, 09:07

Sander Depasquale

The times blogs are here to write your views and not mock / offend other parties or impose your oppressive taliban views.

As you put it, but with a twist, your low level logic hurts our intellect and freedom of choice. But enjoy the illusion that you can shut us up (as happens in Iran and Russia) - you are only digging further the clerical views, grave. With mass attendence at an all time low and disgusting tactics as these - no wonder!

A message needs to be sent to the Nadur council and the Gozitan businesses - it is up to you people to choose how and where to spend your money.

George S Darmanin

Feb 8th 2010, 08:50

The Nadur Karnival is organised by the Nadur local coucil.
Like it or not, the organisers have the right to make a set of rules. If you don't like them, do not participate. This does not only happen in Malta.
Take FIFA for example, if a player or coach comments on a referee, he risks getting a suspension and nobody complains about freedom of speech.

Peter Korsten

Feb 8th 2010, 08:39

There are countries, not so far from here, where the constitution explicitly forbids the government from censorship before any form of expression (be it written, spoken, whatever). Unfortunately, Malta isn't one of them.

For those that are concerned about their Christian culture, well, there is the judiciary to deal with it if any laws have been breached.

C.ZARB

Feb 8th 2010, 08:22

I think it's time to bring the inquisition back

Joe Xuereb

Feb 8th 2010, 07:31

@sandro Pace. Christmas was once about Christ's birth. Look at it now. Unstoppable. And Carnival letting off steam before penance (Lent)? Look at Rio in Feb. or London in August.
@Malcolm Borg. A strong lyric indeed, with 'grinta' (bite). But having taken the plunge to free myself ages ago, to me this sounds like a nursery rhyme. It is called maturity. And maturity has to start somewhere you know (called risk-taking). You see, I am now a cool customer, with no stomach ulcers. And not a police officer in sight patronising me. As if!
I am beyond being offended (which I have a right to be if I'm to grow as an individual). But I can be judgemental and I do find objection to.........lifesize images of a man being flagellated, gore and blood all too realistic, and children as young as two being exposed to such 'to teach them that the man died for them because he loves them'. That confuses the two-year old fledgeling mind and amounts to child abuse. Get it?! I bet you never thought of it like that did you Malcolm? Well, today you learned something new. One lives and learns. If one allows oneself. Right!!!

A. Borg

Feb 7th 2010, 23:09

|'m looking forward for this year's "Isle of Man" concert. Will the police be asking Lady Gaga for a copy of the lyrics before her performance? Or is this applicable only for local talent?

Sander Depasquale

Feb 7th 2010, 23:06

@ Stephan Kotmann

Please get the facts right and try to understand the maltese culture. AD is a bunch of pinocchios who very frequently misguides their audience by saying it all except for some very important facts.

The maltese are proud of their christian culture and they treasure their believes. But at the same time there are some youngsters who are making a mockery of our christian culture just to show off how cool they are! This we all know that it backfires at some stage. And there are a majority of the responsible maltese people who know that there is a limit to everything.

Carnival is there to be foolish but not to offend other people's believes. At the end of the day carnival markes the beginning of lent!

But AD enjoys the illusion of taking cue of their liberal view when in actual fact they are continuing to dig their political grave. Good luck AD!

Joseph A Borg

Feb 7th 2010, 22:30

@ Sandro Pace: religion is the best source of comedy and satire my friend!

carnival is a tradition older than the catholic church. It is meant for the plebes to be relieved from the strictures imposed on them by secular and ecclesiastical authorities and vent their frustrations.

I recommend all the revelers to dress as Dionysus… drink, be merry and safe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysus#Suggested_parallels_with_Christianity

Malcolm Borg

Feb 7th 2010, 22:08

Let me quote the lyrics of a band which has its songs played sometimes at a local club:

Flesh starts to rip
Gouging through skin
From the throat
Blood gushes
Glandular eruption
Blistered skin secretion
Internal punctures
Blood regurgitation

Gagging, choking, on broken glass

Please police, protect me from these lyrics. I'm utterly offended by these words and I seek your refuge.

sandro pace

Feb 7th 2010, 22:02

While I am against excessive policing in such matters, one has also to realise that even MTV censors vulgar words from airing, even putting a bleep on songs. Or obscure parts in videos.
And this is still the EU. (For those who knows what really goes on around themselves)

Does anyone remember the piece of news some days ago about lady gaga in floriana and mtv?

What is it in vulgarity, just for the sake of it? Vulgarity is actually close-mindedness, not its censorship.

Karl Consiglio

Feb 7th 2010, 21:59

Now that's a vulgar display of power, and Rock n Rolls duty is to fight back, lest it ceases to be Rock n Roll. We like Nadur all freaky, if you don't like freaky then stick to the boring Valletta one.

G.Debono

Feb 7th 2010, 21:55

AD - You are a true party that represents the Maltese people.

Kunsil lokali Nadur, Police commissioner you should hide in shame for trying to bring Malta as a taliban state. What next? 20 years from now, we;ll have the Americans over throwing the taliban leaders as happened in Afganistan.

Lill Gonzi / Muscat - AD might be small, but watch the space.


Dear Times of Malta and other editors - do please make a fuss about this story and show to the world what kind of communist state we have become. Umbad nitkazaw bil-Musulmani / jew il-Lhud ahna! We're worse than them

Stephen Florian

Feb 7th 2010, 21:55

Dressing up as politicians might hit the right note for the Nadur Carnival although I wonder who would dare choose the Queen of Gozo outfit....Every country merits what it chooses.

G.Sc hembri

Feb 7th 2010, 21:44

Ghax ma toqoghdux tghidu r-ruzarju, flok tkantaw u l-kapillan jista joaghod idoqq il-qniepen.

Muscat. Pat

Feb 7th 2010, 21:34

@ John Borg
Yes, the way people dress up or sing during Carnival is the pillar of PN's morality! But then, is it not incredulous that, at the same time, under GonziPN, Malta is sliding fast to the bottom of the list of "Transperancy International"?

Stefan Kottmann

Feb 7th 2010, 21:30

This is unbelievable. Something is indeed happening on these islands and it is oppression. Mannequins. Student newspapers. Nadur carnival 2009 and 2010. My belief is that I am not the only once getting increasingly concerned.

Joseph Ellis

Feb 7th 2010, 21:21

At this rate, we will soon be jealous of the freedoms enjoyed in Iran.

First, it was the banning of "Stitching", then, the removal of the mannequins from a shop in Mosta, afterwards came the prosecution of Mark Camilleri and now, this illegal act by the police force.

I say it is illegal because the police have no legal powers to vet the lyrics of any song that will be aired in public. Once the police have no legal powers to vet the lyrics of the songs that will be played in public in Nadur, who ever is responsible for this illegal order should resign from his post. It is inconceivable that anyone tasked with law enforcement would break the law himself.

Government should make its position on the matter clear as soon as possible. I am not particularly fond of the inanities that take place in the Nadur carnival but this is no justification for yet another example of the progressive stifling of person liberties in this country.

Iwonde onwose instctions th polce were acting as the police force seems incapable of autonomous action whatsover.

Ian Zammit

Feb 7th 2010, 21:02

At Sandro Pace > Actually last year I was at the Carnival in Dusseldorf, Germany and I saw plenty of people dressed as Jesus, the Devil and priests and nuns. Unsurprisingly since Germany has moved out of the middle ages centuries ago nobody made a fuss about it and no police action was taken. Unfortunately Malta seems to be going in the opposite direction and becoming more oppressive as time goes by.

Muscat. Pat

Feb 7th 2010, 20:57

Next in line is the setting up of the "morality police". Back to Archbishop Gonzi's times!

J.Tonna

Feb 7th 2010, 20:54

Jaghmlu sew jicekkjawhom il-pulizija. Il-kelb il-mismut kull ilma jahsbu mishun, jghid il-Malti. Min ma jridx igib ruhu ta' nies ma jiehux sehem mall-ewwel.

Biex iddahhaq m'hemmx ghalfejn tuza r-religjon jew il-qaddisin. M'hemmx ghalfejn toffendi lil-proxxmu tieghek. Inkella jkollna mmexxu l-kelma biex min hu tal-affari tieghu ma jmurx.

John Borg

Feb 7th 2010, 20:54

@ maria pace
democracy doesn't entitle anyone to offend any other by any means
The police are just trying to prevent offensive acts, after all they are in charge of keeping the good order and on carnival this is something a bit more difficult. Just imagine a band shouting out foul or offensive words and the offended (who may be hooded or disguised) decide to answer back in their own way.......
@all
no this is not the 60s 70s 80s this is Gozo 2010 a year by which people should know how to behave !

Christian Sciberras

Feb 7th 2010, 20:54

Thanks AD.

In related news, PN and PL follow suite....

In fact, just spare it, everyone knows parties strive at pleasing the people (till election that is of course!)

Anthony Mizzi

Feb 7th 2010, 20:49

And we dedicate Marco Massini chart topping all time hit "Va a ....... to the repressive forces on the island.

Or is it considered 'illegal' to even pronounce the title let alone the lyrics of a song that went down in Musical history?

K Cassar

Feb 7th 2010, 20:42

Naqra Dan l-artiklu u nitkaza b'li qed jigri f'Malta u Ghawdex!!! To the bands who are participating this year please do not submit your lyrics!! I would rather not perform than submit...

Lou Bondi

Feb 7th 2010, 20:36

This police measure is outrageous. And not just because it mocks the very core of what it means to be an EU country. Worse still, it opens up a legal pandora's box: will the police now vet the lyrics of every song played on radio? Will each maltese club dj have a policeman standing next to him or her checking out the lyrics before a cd is spun? Hell, will I have to submit the concert dvds I play at the end of Bondiplus to the Commissioner before I air them? Veru m'ghandhomx x'jaghmlu!

sandro pace

Feb 7th 2010, 20:30

There is no place for religion, any religion, in carnival. Religions should not be subject to ridicule, whether one believe in them or not. For Christians, Jesus Christ is the Father, and even God himself. I dont think anyone would like to see the image of his father ridiculed. This is nothing fundamentalist or inquisition. It offends.

If the constitution protects the President from ridicule, moreso should be Catholic God, as is enshrined in the constitution.

Worse of all, if the passion of Christ itself or related symbols, the solemn of most solemn, is subject to ridicule. I propose that the police and the law will not allow such things, and come down hard on them.

I dont think there is a carnival in the whole world where the image of JC is ridiculed. It would be ignorance. Carnival exists because of christianity itself. It was designed as some period of revelling (without offending) before the lent.

maria pace

Feb 7th 2010, 20:24

This is not the eighties;this is the 60's or worse the middle ages!!!!
The times of the Inquisition . U halluna
First we meddled with the Nadur Carnival and now we want to utterly ruin what is left of spontaneity.
We are either Europeans or a narrrow minded nation with double standards and two weights two measures where it suits us.
Are we living in a democracy or what?

Jeremy J Camilleri

Feb 7th 2010, 20:23

Actually A dimech, I think its more of a case of back to the 60's....From Gonzi 1 to Gonzi 2!

Sandro Agius

Feb 7th 2010, 20:23

idoqqu li jridu u li joghgobhom basta ma joffendux r-religjon ta' haddiehor...m'hijiex accetabli li jkun hemm insulti lejn l-ebda religjon, lanqas lejn dik Kattolika u anke l-kliem li jintuza ikun kliem accetabli b'rispett lejn it-tfal u lejn il-moralita ta' kulhadd...dan mhux timponi nahseb imma taghmel linja bejn dak li huwa moralment accetabli u dak li mhuwiex. La l-Karnival qieghed isir ghal kulhadd irid ikun hemm rispett lejn kulhadd.

Stephen florian

Feb 7th 2010, 20:18

Mr Dimech: This sounds more like Archbishop Michael Gonzi's times, read your history books.Ever heard of the DNUB IL-MEJJET ? In any case the Nadur Carnival tends to be freakish...more a matter of sick minds than a Carnival in the true sense of the word.

David Borg

Feb 7th 2010, 20:08

Contradictions abound .... isn't the prohibition of so called hate speech a violation of free speech?

And is not this suggested law just political correctness?

A. Borg

Feb 7th 2010, 19:57

Back to old habits. Back to the 80's! Back to the years of the Police state.