May I share Henry Frendo’s thoughts on Mgr Charles Vella (The Sunday Times of Malta, March 25), who passed away recently leaving such a far-sighted legacy in religious broadcasting, family counselling and the patient’s bedside ethics. His pioneering work in these fields marked his mission throughout his indefatigable social commitments in Malta and abroad for decades.

For some time early in my television career, which started with children’s programmes in January 1969, I formed part of the production team of the TV weekly Djalogu. I presented and produced a number of Inkjesta editions dealing with new social challenges that were facing European communities at the time. 

To give credit where it is due, however, Mgr Vella’s main collaborator on the popular long-running series was Lawrence Mizzi, who was nationally acknowledged as the face of Djalogu. The team, including an estimable number of professional contributors, used to hold weekly pre- and post-production meetings hosted by the then dedicated head of programmes at the public station, Manni Spiteri.

With encouragement from TVM I then branched off into another pioneering genre of TV fare presenting/producing a number of series for the young during which many future leading members of our society used to air their views on a wide range of social aspects.

These TV weeklies included popular titles such as Malteen, Tbissima, Tuffieħa, Werqa, Inħobbok and Narak fis-7. My handbook for young people, Mas-16 in 1975 (two editions), reflected most of the progressive programme content.