Cemetery rules changed after 'offensive' photo shoot

Regulations covering public cemeteries were revised after last year's controversy about a televised fashion photo shoot at the Addolorata, the island's biggest burial place.

The photo shoot was part of a TVM programme, Venere, which was reprimanded by the Broadcasting Authority for showing models walking around graves and sitting near a private chapel. The broadcasting watchdog deemed such behaviour to offend relatives of people buried there.

Following a letter in The Times complaining about the programme, the Environmental Health Directorate, which is responsible for public cemeteries, launched an internal investigation. It was concluded more than eight months later and found that the programme producers had followed regulations, which, however, were found by the inquiry board to be wide open to interpretation.

The rules used to grant entry to TV and film crews provided that "nothing objectionable" is done. Now, a redrafted application form specifies that the dignity of the dead must be respected and any photographs or films should represent "only a general view of graves", with no zooming in of any particular names or memorials.

It adds that the "serenity" of the cemetery should be respected with no unnecessary roaming about with equipment or making undesirable noises. Furthermore, no disturbance should be caused to anybody in the cemetery.

Caretakers at the cemeteries have also been instructed by the department on how to better monitor activities. In October, the Department of Environment Health had claimed that the TV programme producers had only declared they wanted to highlight the beautiful gothic architecture of the cemetery. Controversy then erupted because the programme showed images of models inside the cemetery.

Both the producers and Public Broadcasting Services defended the programme saying none of the regulations were breached and, in any case, permission had been sought and granted.

On Tuesday, the directorate took a different approach with the producers, thanking them and the photographer for their full cooperation throughout investigations.

The new application form can be downloaded from: https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/public_health/environmental-health/forms.aspx .