“We, the undersigned citizens of the Malta, respectfully request that candidates, the media and other advocates and commentators involved in the public policy arena employ a more civil tone in public discourse on political and social issues, focusing on policies rather than on individual personalities.  For our part, we pledge to make these principles our own.”

The above paragraph has one important change from the original. In this version “Malta” takes the place of the “United States.” This was the test of the civility pact proposed by the Knights of Columbus in the United States prior to the recent election campaign. The Knights made this proposal in an attempt to restore voters’ confidence in US politicians and the political process. Studies in the United States had shown that 78% of voters are frustrated with the tone in politics today, 74% think the tone of the political campaign has grown more negative than past election years and that 66% believe that candidates spend more time attacking their opponents than addressing the issues. 

In my commentary in The Sunday Times of September 16, 2012 I expressed my belief that the same level of distrust exists over here and I suggested that someone should take the initiative and suggest a similar civility pledge in Malta. No one took the challenge. I repeat the same invitation not because I am very hopeful that someone will take the trouble to propose it but as another attempt and appeal, together with many others, for a civil, clean and fair electoral campaign.

In the same commentary I had written that “it would very well be that Christmas time will be in the midst of an official or unofficial electoral campaign. Will the political parties find enough courage to stop active campaigning during the Christmas week?” Truth be said, we had a truce of sorts. You never know and miracles do happen; so I am encouraged to repeat my appeal.

The stakes are too high on all sides and the temptation to go for the jugular in an unjust way will be enormous.

I am certain that all politicians will keep on saying that they are in favour of fairness and civility. And, truth be said, I am certain that many are genuinely bent in that direction. Others perhaps would be ready to cut corners and move the line of acceptable behaviour then enabling themselves to state that they have not crossed it.

Civility does not mean a public debate shorn of good punches. Neither do I agree with those who shout “personal” whenever criticism becomes too harsh for their taste and comfort. Politicians have today limited their legitimate recourse to vast areas of their private life because most of them parade it so publicly. But whatever remains should be protected and respected. Only  information about things that can realistically be considered as impacting on one’s acts in public life, are legitimate subject for comment. On the other hand, vague comments and innuendos can lead to a very unjust attempt at character assassination. This is not right.

In my wildest of dreams I envision a code of ethics mutually agreed to by our political parties. This will regulate the way the political media will cover the campaign together with a committee of three wise men/women (I wrote on the Feast of the Epiphany) that will be charged with overseeing compliance with the code. Ok, I know I’m dreaming.

Let me lift the concluding paragraph of this piece from my above referred to commentary from The Sunday Times.

“This time round the social networks – the territory of the individual citizen - will dominate the campaign. …  The social networks are proving to be the greatest offenders against civility. This means that the worst culprits are the common citizens that visit Facebook and post the most obnoxious comments. Insults, obscene words, threats of violence are traded as normal fare and physiological pressure together with character assassination are rife. If this momentum is kept, depravity, not civility, will be the hallmark of the contribution of common citizens to the coming electoral campaign.

This places more pressure on the leaders to lead by example and for the media to follow suit.”

 

 

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