History lessons, censorship and protection of cultural heritage

History lessons, censorship and the protection of cultural heritage were hot topics discussed today during a feedback session about the draft cultural policy expected to be approved by October.

Before the discussion, Parliamentary Secretary for culture Mario de Marco stressed the policy was not a “wish list” but a vision that had to be coupled with concrete actions to bear fruit.

The plan would prepare Malta get ready for 2018, where one of its towns or cities will become the cultural capital of the EU.

He appealed for more coordination between ministries and public funded bodies to combat complex challenges in turning thoughts to action.

During a workshop with members of civil society, the Front Against Censorship appealed to de Marco to act urgently on the cultural policy’s promise to update freedom of expression laws to reflect 21st Century realities.

Front member Ingram Bondin said the wave of censorship was gaining more ground and it was unacceptable for a country’s laws to empower a magistrate to decide whether a play could be seen by adults.

He asked Dr de Marco to at least give a symbolic token to the cause by making small changes in the law so that a person could not be sent to prison for writing a fictitious story.

Meanwhile Children’s Commissioner Helen d’Amato said that if any changes were to be proposed, she would have to be consulted because minors had a right to be protected – a view shared by the Front.

Ms d’Amato also called for an audit of culture-related organisations which were not necessarily registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.

One of the ideas that emerged from the discussion was for some form of forum to be created for different organisations and enterprises to make their voices heard more easily and for feedback to be something constant.

A Cospicua local councillor urged the government to protect cultural heritage from being ruined by selfish people who took over shelters and stores around the bastions, to, among other things, raise fighting dogs.

He also said that social enterprises had to be catered for in Maltese legislation because these were different from for-profit companies or NGOs, but such distinction was not made in Maltese law.

President of history teachers George Cassar urged the government not to let history lessons fall by the wayside since these were an essential part of culture and although it was being denied, he confirmed that history lessons were becoming shorter and less frequent in various schools.

Other members of civil society said application forms for government funds should be made simpler and more funds should be made available for TV programmes and digitalisation projects which sought to record local history and traditions for future generations.

Some complained about accessibility into museums and other cultural activities where prices were prohibitive or public transport was not available.