Seems like we’re in desperate need of a Blackadder in Malta. Or rather, of a Rowan Atkinson.
Not to distract us from the mega snorefest that has become the election campaign on both sides – although that wouldn’t be a half bad idea. Seriously, when is either party going to do something really funny? Don’t they have any pity?
So, the point I’m trying to make. It took a whole campaign by Rowan Atkinson to convince UK legislators to remove ‘contentious words’ from the Public Order Act.
The reason? It wasn’t exactly compatible with a culture of free speech, of course. Not that UK laws were particularly draconian on this issue, mind you.
I mean, when was the last time that someone in the UK took a legally-approved hit-and-run attack for calling someone else ‘gay’? Precisely. Never.
Or that a theatrical production was banned by the highest court of the country on grounds of obscenity. Right again – never.
Malta, on the other hand, managed to achieve both distinctions in the space of less than a year. We pretty much had a magistrate confirm that we can only dream about free speech as it is understood by the rest of the western world. You might not get fined, but the law will be happy to look the other way while you get run over by the recipient of your attentions.
And before anyone throws the rule book at me, yes I’m very well aware that the right to freedom of speech should be used responsibly. But really, who wants to live in a country where calling someone ‘gay’ (whether it happens to be true or not is irrelevant in the bigger scheme of things) will land you in jail or in hospital?
Then there’s that little matter of getting an entire play banned, of course. The final cherry on the beacon of freedom of expression and speech, if you’ll forgive me mixing my metaphors.
So, Mr Rowan Atkinson – when will you be showing up here to help bring our legislature and judiciary up to speed with 21st-century living?