Tuesday, 27th November 2007
Love is blind
Full marks to Marlene Mizzi for the intention behind her spirited defence of her husband Magistrate Tonio Mizzi (Malta Today November 18). Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco and Magistrate Mizzi was informed by the Commission for the Administration of Justice that they are in breach of the code of ethics of the judiciary (because of their involvement in sports organisations). The Commission for the Administration of Justice is not some sub-committee of a band club in a small village. It has an important role within the judicial system and is presided by the President, no less. It was set up in terms of the Constitution to do, among many other things, what it has done in this instance.
A de facto public disagreement between the Commission and two members of the Bench is, therefore, a very serious matter. The situation is so serious that the Commission had to resort to the unusual step of publishing letters it sent to the learned gentlemen after they apparently ignored the Commission’s decision.
It is unfortunate that the seriousness of the situation is not being felt by the public because the media – barring The Times – has not given it the importance it deserves. Unfortunately we live in a culture where our agenda is influenced a lot by the media.
An erudite article by Austin Bencini in The Times explained the technicalities of the matter showing, in effect, that there is pretty nothing that can be done. Kullhadd jibqa’ billi ha, sort of. The publication of the correspondence by the Commission three months after it was written and was ignored by the learned gentleman is a sign of its exasperation. It was also a duty towards the public which has a right to be informed of the situation.
One admires Ms Mizzi and praises her efforts. As for the contents of her article I think the less one says the better, since it leaves much to be desired. I feel that she did not help her husband’s cause one bit. In this male chauvinistic country many would think that Magistrate Mizzi was the true writer of the article. I don’t believe that was the case. Magistrate Mizzi is too intelligent to write what his wife wrote in Malta Today. On the other hand one can understand that her emotional involvement in the case would drive her to write what she wrote, although she too is a very intelligent person.
The situation is worrying to the extreme. Those who use the services of the courts are faced by a situation where:
• A rational and logical conclusion of Ms Mizzi’s article makes them believe that there are members of the judiciary who do not have “innate integrity”.
• According to the Commission for the Administration of Justice two of those who (according to Ms Mizzi) have this gift are not behaving ethically!
• Some months ago a judge was sent to prison for, let’s say, unbecoming behaviour, and another is awaiting trial.
• Another judge was saved from impeachment by the votes of the Opposition in Parliament.
A worrying situation indeed!
But there is a silver lining. I still believe that most of those on the Bench set high benchmarks. But I am a hopelessly optimistic person.
In praise of the big Maltese ego
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences wished to recognise the creativity of those involved in this art. The Oscars were consequently created. After considering the size of the industry in the USA and the rest of the world and the level of creativity that there is, the famed academy concluded that 24 Oscars should do the trick. The Award Ceremony is held annually.
Mermaid Media Entertainment wished to recognise the creativity of those involved in television in Malta. The Malta TV Awards were consequently created. After considering the size of the industry in Malta and the level of creativity that there is, Meramid concluded that 37 Awards should do the trick. The Award Ceremony is held annually.
But aren’t 37 awards a bit too much? While creativity in the whole wide world is recognised with 24 awards, the creativity that exists on this tiny Island has to be celebrated by 37 awards! Those who, like me, scan the local channels every evening cannot but be surprised. I do not see all that creativity every evening, but the judges seem to be of a different opinion.
Unfortunately those who really deserve recognition have the value of their award deflated because similar awards are given to those who do not deserve them.
Aside from this inflationary number, hats off for the initiative, which is in its second year. It partially filled the gap left after the
Broadcasting Authority stopped, for financial reasons, its own Awards ceremony. The TV Awards ceremony is another example how the commercial sector can he harnessed in for positive causes.
A final point. Newspaper journalism awards are given by the Malta Institute of Journalists. TV programmes are awarded in this celebration.
But what about radio? There is one award (perhaps two?) given during the award ceremony of the Malta Institute of Journalists. This hardly fills the gap created by the BA’s retreat from the Award scene.
For those who do not know, there are 13 national radio stations, 26 community stations broadcasting on a permanent licence and another good number broadcasting on temporary licences. Will anyone come forward without escalating numbers?
We are creative but not more than the rest of the world put together.
Adding insult to injury
Supporters of the English football team, myself included, felt humiliated because England did not make it to the European finals. Now it seems that another humiliation is on the horizon. An Italian coach might lead the English team it seems. Insult will then be added to the injury suffered.
And the man who is responsible for this great fiasco i.e. England head coach Steve McClaren was given the order of the boot together with a bumper £2.5m pay-off. Not bad for a man who is a failure!
Apologies (2)
What can I say or write? Last week I apologised because, due to technical problems, those who tried to post comments did not manage to do so. I was assured that the problem was about to been solved. It wasn’t, and those who posted their comments found that there was no place where they could see them. My apologies once more, though I am a victim of this situation as much as you are. If you are as patient as Job you can try your luck again and post your comment. I can understand your reaction if you are not
so patient.
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Comments
I congratulate you for your new blog and the subject you are suggesting for our comments: the press, I understand, local and international.
The first series of interviews I chanced upon on one of the channels of Brazilian TV,on a Sunday night. 23 years or so back, was called "Critica-auto-Critica"
which I would paraphrase as the "need to indulge in an exercise of auto-criticism".
Everybody needs this exercise: in the field of religion, politics,economics, justice, and the press - I would put it especially the press.
The press is powerful. It can build people and destroy people, can manipulate with such a speed and power , that it is difficult to undo the harm done, as happened in the case of the former Maltese ambassador in Ireland.
The more powerful a person or an instituion is, the more one needs this exercise of "critica-auto-critica", and by so doing one and all will deserve the liberty that is justly claimed as a natural right.
When the press lacks this spirit of auto-criticism, it would be committing the same sin committed by religious institutions when they consider themselves as the only source of truth, instead of putting themselves through dialogue in a humble and difficult attitude in search of the truth.
Thank-you
carjohn@teracom.com.br
P.S. One last comment on your recent contribution: if the administration of justice can be so difficult in a little nation, imagine what is it like in a giant country like Brazil!