Candidates in party media - Muscat confident of 'good sense'
PL to hold Congress next month
Labour leader Joseph Muscat this morning avoided giving a direct answer as to whether Jason Micallef and other Labour election candidates such as Evarist Bartolo should step down from their posts in the party's media because of conflict of interest as the general election approaches.
Questioned during a press conference held to launch the forthcoming Labour Congress, Dr Muscat said it was always his policy to use the party's best resources in the best possible way.
This issue, he said, boiled down to prudence. For him, it was not an issue whether Mr Micallef should step down at One Productions and he was confident that good sense would prevail.
Dr Muscat described the Congress as a first of its nature for a local political party. It will be held in several sessions between September 14 and 23 and will be open to all party members, who will discuss policies and guidelines for the approval of the party electoral manifesto.
The Congress will be held at Ta Qali national park.
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Angelo Vassallo
Aug 10th 2012, 17:00
Jidher li "dear leader" joseph muscat ma qal assolutament xejn dwar il-kandidatura kontroversjali ghall-ahhar tas-Sindku ta' Wied il-Ghajn. Dwar din il-persuna jidher li hemm oggezzjonijiet kbar mill-poplu kollu ta' Wied il-Ghajn, specjalment dak lejburist. Jidher li n-nies ta' Wied il-Ghajn l-anqas iriduh Sindku, ahseb u ara kemm iriduh Membru Parlamentari f'isimhom.
Jista' “dear leader" joseph muscat jghidilna xi haga dwar dan id-dizgwid.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 10th 2012, 06:03
Jason you were not born to be a politician, ONE TV is more your line, forget politics.
Mr Edward Caruana Galizia
Aug 9th 2012, 23:03
"he was confident that good sense would prevail."- That made me laugh so much. Good sense? From a party that constantly lives in denial of its members' past? Give me a break!
Eddy Privitera
Aug 11th 2012, 11:45
Edward, dear, you have had , and still have, so much to laugh about in GonziPn, surely you have no time left !
Ask Dr. Franco Debono to give you " a break ", since you sorely need it !
Mr dennis azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 21:56
if i were j.muscat i would recommend that Jason micallef be given back his NATURAMBJENT progrmme .Thats what he was best at !!
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Aug 9th 2012, 21:19
Why shouldn’t Jason Micallef contest the forthcoming elections?
He has all the right to contest and it would be up to the constituents whether to elect him or not.
What I can see in this scenario, is the fact that Jason is very popular with the Laboristi Mostin as he comes from a very staunch Labour background. He is known as Tal-Gellux!
I think Jason will make it; however the Deputy Leader Anglu Farrugia will have an uphill struggle as in this district Jason is more popular.
JC.
Adrian Gouder
Aug 10th 2012, 09:18
The issue at this stage is not particularly whether Jason should run for elections - that is up to Labour, and eventually, the electorate. But, whether he should 'head' Labour media whilst running for an election is the real issue. There would be a severe conflict of interest, placing other candidates in clear disadvantage (esp. Mosta). Other candidates would not have the resources (ONE TV) that he has.
Ethically, Jason should step down immediately as head of One TV if he is to compete.
Jason Falzon
Aug 9th 2012, 19:22
insomma kull min isir naqra popolari irid johrog ghal politika. ghalhekk mimlijien mustaccuni!!!
scott brown
Aug 9th 2012, 19:12
Well, seems not all is well within PL either. the cracks are now showing and worms are coming out. i wonder what manwel mallia and prof scicluna have to say about the sceberras trigona comments and Jason's direct challenge to the PL leader. as if it makes any difference, is it academic for them as well? irrespective of the desperate attempts by dear joe to show a united front his body language shows how uneasy he is and his constant beating around the bush answers is not doing him any good. the PN is gaining ground and fast. whoever is saying that the next election will be a walk over is damn mistaken.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 10th 2012, 06:05
Scott.
I agree with you, PN is gaining ground and fast, 6 feet under.
Philip Hili
Aug 9th 2012, 17:56
"Dr Muscat described the Congress as a first of its nature for a local political party. " allura nifhem li l-ebda partit politiku iehor ma ghamel "Kungress" tal-partit tieghu.
Lanqas din ma taf? Dr. Muscat, qabel tiftah halqek iccekkja l-affarijiet!!! Mhux veru kif ghidt int li " the Congress as a first of its nature for a local political party. "!!! Xbajt nattendi ma' missieri "il-Kungress tal-Partit Nazzjonalista" meta inti kont ghadek zghir. Forsi ghal "Muscat's labour Parti iva. Imma mhux ghal-Partit Nazzjonalista ghax il-partit Nazzjonalista kien jaghamel "il-kungres" tieghu propju fejn hemm l-ufficju tieghek issa, dak li qabel kien "ir-Radio City". Imma dak iz-zmien inti kont ghadek ferm il-boghod mill-poloitika,. Dik hi l-istorja u l-ebda Joseph Muscat mhu ser ihassarha. Il-PL mhu ser jaghmel xejn gdid!!! hlief li jkompli jikkopja wkoll lil Partit Nazzjonalista fl-istruttura tieghu, mhux biss billi jibdel il-kuluri, imma issa wkoll fl-amministrazzjoni u t-tmexxija tieghu.
David Scicluna
Aug 9th 2012, 19:32
When was your congress open to all paid up members? Hallina tridx. You do not have to insult to put forward your argument. You may be grown up in terms of age but you never actually grew up!
Emanuel. Vella.
Aug 9th 2012, 20:54
mela il moviment tal-proggressivi u moderati li hemm wkoll nies EX-PN FIH,qed ibezzak sur philip hili ?.
Philip Hili
Aug 9th 2012, 23:25
@ Emanuel Vella.
Lanqas xejn sur vella.! Ma tarax!
Anzi, lanqas taf kemm serrahtuni li gbartu l-laqx li ridna nitfghu 'l barra!! Mela issa jekk tikkorregi lil min irid IQARRAQ bis-segwaci tieghu tkun qieghed tibza'? Jew inti wkoll trid iddawwar l-istorja kif jaqbel lilek biex tkun sewwa? Forsi kont ghadek f'zaqq ommok inti wkoll u dak li ghidt lanqas inti ma tafu? Jekk hu hekk, nikkumpatikom u nghid lilek wkoll, qabel tpacpac kun cert minn dak li tkun ser tghid. Taf li kien hemm zmien meta kontu tuppruvaw tiddiehku bil-PN ghax ikun ser jaghmel "il-kungress"!!!
G. Bugeja
Aug 9th 2012, 17:47
Jekk hemm xi hadd li ghandu vantagg kif ukoll konflitt ta interess huma s-Sindki. Dawn ghandhom kull mezz biex minn flus il-poplu stess jaghmlu propaganda ghalihom infushom ghall-elezzjoni. Hadd daqshom ma jistghu jaghmlu pjaciri u dan dejjem minn flus il-poplu. Issa taraw kemm se jkun hemm kandidati li fil-prezent huma Sindki kemm se jaghmlu festini u parties? U dawn jaghmluhom biex izommu posthom bhala Sindki, ma jaghmluhomx biex ikollhom siggu fil-Parlament? Jekk irridu nkunu onesti u gusti, il-Partiti Politici ghandhom jaqblu li jew min ikun Sindku ma jistax jikkontesta elezzjoni jew inkella - u din hija aktar prattika - jirrizenja minn Sindku. U mela jkun Sindku, jsir politiku gwapp u jikkontesta l-elezzjoni bi propaganda minn flus il-poplu!!!!. Dik zgur power of incumbency!
Mr Mark Borh
Aug 9th 2012, 17:39
Unfortunately, Joseph Muscat is avoiding several direct answers. One in particular is what he plans to do for people to be seen to right away at Mater Dei, another one is what his plans are for the water and electricity rates to be reduced. I would be very happy if these things were to happen however as a voter, I need to be well informed to be able to make a decision.
Philip Hili
Aug 9th 2012, 23:31
@ Mr Mark Borh
I don't blame you. You have every right to know what plans the LP has for the future. But it seems that no plans are prepared from the PL side so that the people could judge who is prepared to govern this Country.
In brief, JM is tellilng you, help me to reach Castile and them we will see!!!!!
There is a saying in English which says, "better the devil you know, than the devil you don't know"
So be careful when you will be asked to cast your vote.
Joe Tabone
Aug 9th 2012, 16:19
In Alfred Sant's time Jason Micallef was known as Jason il-King, did he get a promotion now?!?
Oliver Grech
Aug 9th 2012, 16:09
Two ways two measures....its shameful of Joseph Muscat.
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 15:05
@Joseph E Briffa
"Probably the one most adversely affected by Jason's candidature will be Anglu Farrugia; with Jason, Deborah and Michael Farrugia contesting in the same district it wouldn't be so easy"
But really does it affect you?
So the PL has a lot of talents competing amongst themselves. So what? Let the best ones win and we move on from there.
Can you say the same about the PN's candidates? Booooqq
(jb).
Richard Caruana
Aug 9th 2012, 15:48
Poor guy, they left you all alone to answer. Wonder where all the Lejber elves have gone today?
Joe Tabone
Aug 9th 2012, 16:43
@ J Brincat,
What about Anthony Decelis, he got the majority of PL votes on this District................miskin Anglu!!!
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 9th 2012, 18:48
@j brincat....Not in the least, it's not my district. And after all, aren't we all happy that there is so much talent in the Labour fold? The more the merrier, they say.
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 14:53
@ Angelo Vassallo
'"The presence of a conflict of interest is independent from the execution of impropriety. Therefore, a conflict of interest can be discovered and voluntarily defused before any corruption occurs"
In this day and age even 'tan-nunna' know (collective so it's not knows) how to cut and paste.
Just look at your beloved PN billboards!
(jb)
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 14:49
@Angelo Vassallo
"To all those (like the one who always asks SILLY questions) who would want to know what conflict of interest really means, and there is no "own definition""
Angelo every time I read one of your posts I say to myself "What a fresh breath of air with all this enlightenment"
You really make my day Angelo.
Please stay on!
(jb)
Joseph E Briffa
Aug 9th 2012, 14:37
Probably the one most adversely affected by Jason's candidature will be Anglu Farrugia; with Jason, Deborah and Michael Farrugia contesting in the same district it wouldn't be so easy.
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 14:18
@Lucienne Spiteri
"Jason leads Labour not Joseph"
Dear Lucienne, one very simple question: Who leads the PN? Dr Gonzi or what Dr Franco termed as the 'oligarchy'?
How strong is GonziPN in tandem with JPO? And what about Dr Franco's blog which is becoming popular by the day!
People in who live in glass houses..bla, bla, bla!
(jb)
(jb)
Saviour Aquilina
Aug 9th 2012, 14:12
Did Jason know some think that Joesph is afraid of him??? Any way JM is well know for his U Turns.
Nazzareno Cortis
Aug 9th 2012, 16:16
Sav----are you serious????? about U turns-------why don't you take a look and remember about the promises that your Gonzi PN amde before last general election???? I am sure you will find plenty of U turns-----Just to give examples----you may ask several different workers from different workplaces about the promises made and the actual facts!!!! Hallina siehbi!!!!
Angelo Vassallo
Aug 9th 2012, 14:09
To all those (like the one who always asks SILLY questions) who would want to know what conflict of interest really means, and there is no "own definition".
"A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other".
"The presence of a conflict of interest is independent from the execution of impropriety. Therefore, a conflict of interest can be discovered and voluntarily defused before any corruption occurs"
from Wikipedia encyclopedia
Lucienne Spiteri
Aug 9th 2012, 14:03
Jason leads Labour not Joseph.
Eddy Privitera
Aug 9th 2012, 15:24
You must have mixed Jason for Jeffrey and Joseph for Lawrence !
M Grima
Aug 9th 2012, 15:38
Dream on Lucienne!!
Maybe you can tell us something about who leads in GoziPN?
Peppi Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 13:58
Ma nistax nifhem ghala donnu hemm min qed jinsisti li Jason Micallef ghandu jirrezenja minn Chairman ta' One TV ghax qed jinghad li ghandu kunflitt ta' interess. Din diskriminazzjoni' Ghax jekk il-kunflitt huwa dwar kontenut allura kandidat li hu avukat ghala jithalla jikkontesta meta dan filghaxija jaghmel il-ligijiet u filghodu jmur jiddefendi lil min jiksirhom? Jekk il-kunflitt huwa dwar vantagg li jista jkollu Jason Micallef ghax Chairman tal-ONE TV allura l-kandidati tobba ma ghadniex inhaluhom johorgu ghall-elezzjoni, ghax daqskemm ghandhom vantagg huma li jidhlu fid-djar tan-nies, l-ebda vantagg veru jew imaginarju, fil-media , ma jirbhilhom.
Marija Falzon
Aug 9th 2012, 14:37
Mela ga qallek biex tghamilha ta' coach tieghu pepp?
Mr Ernest Vella
Aug 9th 2012, 14:49
Peppi, min meta 'l hawn?
Ms.D. Galea
Aug 9th 2012, 14:49
X tifhem int bil frazi ''kunflitt ta interes''?
C. Bonnici
Aug 9th 2012, 15:03
Interesting post Peppi. But I think that: (A) advocates are trained to separate their duties. (B) whether it would be the chairman of a TV station or a doctor who would be at an advantage, is very debatable. So I limit myself to not understanding, without claiming that if Jason would resign, then so should the doctors and the lawyers... Bottom-line, being the chairman of the most powerful engine in an electoral campaign is not an issue that should be taken lightly. I'd suggest to PL to ensure that the right mechanisms are in place to ensure that no undue advantages are taken BY and/or OF the person who happens to be chairing the station.
Kevin Marks
Aug 9th 2012, 15:35
Jien kieku wara post bhal din innehhi l Jason minn chairman biex ma jkollux kunflitt ta nteress u naghmel il Peppi ....x fiha hazin ? Joseph ilu jistieden il Peppi u l Lou biex jissiehbu mal moviment!!
Nazzareno Cortis
Aug 9th 2012, 16:45
Minn mijja----kulltant tfendi wahda favur il PL Pepp. Forsi biex turi li int imparzjali???? Apparti kollox---fuq hafna affarijiet ma naqbilx mieghek---imma fuq din naqbel! Bilhaqq barra t-tobba li semmejt int---hemm periti,avukati,nutara,qassisin,ecc.ecc.li kollha jahdmu mal parruccani,u jfesfsu fil widnejn!!!
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 13:58
Jonathan Camilleri
JM had pointed out about the possible conflict of interest of having Claudio Grech politically involved and as Chairman of MITA. Shortly after the debate, Mr. Grech resigned to take care of his private business"
So he resigned BUT where is he NOW?
(jb)
.
Mary Ann Borg
Aug 9th 2012, 13:58
Qatt xi darba smajtu lil Wonderboy Joseph jirrispondi sempliciment 'Iva' jew 'Le'. Malli ffaccjat b'mistoqsija cara qatt u qatt ma jirrispondi bi twegiba cara.
Issa johrogx Jason jew le dik mhix problema, il-problema se tkun ghal Anglu Bellu imma qed jidher car, anzi
Eddy Privitera
Aug 9th 2012, 15:27
Mary Ann, Lawrence JAHRAB QABEL ma jsirulu l-mistoqsijiet !
michael catania
Aug 9th 2012, 21:27
Now Mary you know you are telling a fib. Like all conservatives you think the populance are idiots, but not so these days
Christopher Anthony Mangion
Aug 9th 2012, 13:50
With all due respect, I cannot understand why all this fuss about candidates the like of Mr. Micallef.
While bearing in mind that nowadays media is a very strong medium of influence in our society, one must not forget that the people in the industry do so to earn a living. Therefore like candidates of different professions, people in the media industry should be left to perform their own job while going for any election.
This shall apply to any other industry, else we will continue to have a parliament represented only by advocates and doctors.
Ian Psaila
Aug 9th 2012, 14:25
In the case of Media, Evarist Bartolo and Jason Micallef can give themselves that little bit more promotion at the detriment of other labour Candidates
Peppi Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 13:49
Ma nistax nifhem ghala donnu hemm min qed jinsisti li Jason Micallef ghandu jirrezenja minn Chairman ta' One TV ghax qed jinghad li ghandu kunflitt ta' interess. Din diskriminazzjoni' Ghax jekk il-kunflitt huwa dwar kontenut allura kandidat li hu avukat ghala jithalla jikkontesta meta dan filghaxija jaghmel il-ligijiet u filghodu jmur jiddefendi lil min jiksirhom? Jekk il-kunflitt huwa dwar vantagg li jista jkollu Jason Micallef ghax Chairman tal-ONE TV allura l-kandidati tobba ma ghadniex inhaluhom johorgu ghall-elezzjoni, ghax daqskemm ghandhom vantagg huma li jidhlu fid-djar tan-nies, l-ebda vantagg veru jew imaginarju, fil-media , ma jirbhilhom.
Giorgio Schembri
Aug 9th 2012, 13:47
I'm sorry for the rest of the PL candidates when having Jason Micalllef and Evarist Bartolo in full swing on one of the most effective campaign machines for the promotion of their candidature. What about the capping of the expenditure related to personal campaigns? Hope that the electoral commission take note of this.
GS
Jonathan Camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 13:37
JM had pointed out about the possible conflict of interest of having Claudio Grech politically involved and as Chairman of MITA. Shortly after the debate, Mr. Grech resigned to take care of his private business.
Now we have a similar situation where PL candidates are being questioned about possible conflict of interest in their political and other roles. It is really up to the person to take the decisions, in my opinion.
j brincat
Aug 9th 2012, 13:34
"Labour leader Joseph Muscat this morning avoided giving a direct answer as to whether Jason Micallef and other Labour election candidates such as Evarist Bartolo should step down from their posts in the party's media because of conflict of interest as the general election approaches"
Who asked this silly question?
In Malta we have of OWN definition of 'conflict of interest' outside that given by Oxford dictionary.
Simply look around and you READILY have your answer!
(jb).
Richard Caruana
Aug 9th 2012, 13:31
"Good sense will prevail"
That's the quote of the day! Since when? One day Jason Micallef is 'sacrificing' himself by not contesting, seven months later he is contesting!
X'irgulija!
Stephen Tabone
Aug 9th 2012, 13:28
I totally agree with Joseph Muscat.
It's not just about the Labour Party but the whole country. Let us move to a new era and think progressive. This country is too small, so are our resources, so lets start using all our good resources, in any way or any kind
Mr Anthony Briffa
Aug 9th 2012, 14:03
I am afraid neither Joseph nor you understoond where the conflict of interest exists on this point.
As I see it, the conflict of interest exists within the MLP itself vis-a-vis its other own candidates since they do not have the same access to the MLP media as Jason and Evarist.
This will not effect anybody except themselves. If the MLP candidates contesting on the same districts are happy with this situation then let them please themselves.
George Cutajar
Aug 9th 2012, 13:28
So now it will no longer be the 'laqgha generali annwali'. We will now have a congress for a movement of liberals, progressives and what nots which will be open to anyone and everybody. They will meet, discuss , wait and perhaps at some point in time decide but before that we will have to wait to see what the result of impact assessments will tell us and whether it will be opportunistic enough to take a stand.
jesmond zammit
Aug 9th 2012, 13:25
x panic ghandhom il pn b jason micallef .. issa nistennew xarabank jirranka fil plotting ukoll.
T.F. Busuttil
Aug 9th 2012, 13:22
Jason Micallef only manage the media he is rarely shown on tv
look who is talking about conflict of interest ? how about Claudio Grech?
B Ellul
Aug 9th 2012, 13:27
Jason Micallef is now a candiate! and he will be shown more and more on ONE TV.... mhux ovja jekk irid jitla
CC? what conflict of interest. IIRC he resign from both Smart City and MITA!!!
Mario Scicluna
Aug 9th 2012, 14:07
@B Ellul
Today, 13:27
SmartCity ???? Fejn?
R ferriggi
Aug 9th 2012, 13:19
THE NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS.
THE EARTHQUAKE.
THEORETICAL,,,,,,,,, YES.
IN PRACTICE,,,,,,,,, ALL WORSE THAN EVER BEFORE.
.
Mark. Galea
Aug 9th 2012, 13:07
ghadu ma telghax fil-gvern u diga tilef il-kontroll ... mhux ovvja, imdawwar b'dawk it-tip ta nies, fosthom dinosawri ta zmien il-golden years.
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