As a Maltese composer of music managed in Hollywood, after having seen my country lose again at the Eurovision song contest, I would like to make the following suggestions.

A serious body of experts, that is, people who are genuinely interested in securing a good result for our country, should:

1. Write an outstanding song - and be original, not the same old stuff we have been hearing for years. I am sorry to say that the standard of the song presented at this year's contest was terrible.

2. Find the best possible artist/singer that suits the song. It is not a question of the singer wearing a fancy dress with an eagle's wings popping out, but someone with charisma, and let the song do justice to the singer.

I feel sorry for Maltese singers being given such below-standard pop songs, then having their hopes raised. It is the composer's fault, and we certainly could do with more professional imaginative and original lyrics.

3. Produce an outstanding music video, although this is not a priority - the song is!

Yes, we can keep blaming the voting system - which, I tend to agree, is biased - however, that should not deter us from taking part in this contest. But please, for the sake of Malta and our future singers, let's get it right here before we send another singer off with high hopes which are dashed even before he or she has a chance.

Unless we pull together and raise our standards, this farce will continue. We also need to get rid of this mentality of stating what other countries think. We are more than capable of picking a good song and choosing the best singer, if we really want to.

I shall certainly be submitting my songs for next year's Eurovsion song as I cannot bear to see this totally unprofessional attitude go on, when we have so much talent on our island.