I was shocked yesterday when Anna, Manni Spiteri’s wife, phoned to say that Manni had just suddenly died. We had shared so many great experiences together that I came to know him as a close friend, a true gentleman and an avid professional.
Manni was a giant of the broadcasting field in Malta.
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He was head of TV programmes at the time that broadcasting was professionally run by Rediffussion. After the nationalization of broadcasting it was clear that there was no place for a free thinking and independently minded professional in the newly set up propaganda machine called Xandir Malta.
He left for pastures new in the area of public relations and advertising. For a long time Manni was an accounts executive with BPC Ltd. In the meantime, for a few months, he set up and managed Studio Master, the TV station of the Partit Nazzjonalista that was broadcasting from Sicily. Manni contributed more than his share fair for the re-establishment of democracy in Malta.
Back at BPC, I tempted him to join the Church media. I was a successful tempter.
He joined in 1982 or 1983. One of his main projects, at that time, was the publication of the first ever translation of the Bible in Maltese from the original languages and in just one volume. He also worked on the development of our studios and other initiatives in the field of publications.
A day after the result of the election of 1987 he came to my office. “The Prime Minister just asked me to take over Xandir Malta” he informed me. “When will you leave?” I asked. “Just now”, he said. This was the beginning of another important phase in his professional life. He worked hard to put the organization back on track as a public service broadcaster.
We then worked together on the re-organisation of religious broadcasting. The main TV religious programme became very popular. At one time it was the most popular programme after the main news bulletin. At the time of Ipokriti and Xarabank we were the third mostly watched programme after these hugely popular innovative programmes.
I tempted Manni Spiteri to return to the Church media after Paul Attard left RTK. It was not an easy endeveour but I got my way at the end. Manni became the Managing Director of Media Centre and RTK.
After my departure from the post of Executive Chairman of both organization Manni filled the same post.
Manni was a hard and dedicated professional. No challenge was too big for him. He never failed to deliver.
He was also a gentleman. Always loyal, but loyal in an intelligent way and effective way. One could always depend on him.
Good bye, dear friend.