Ministerial rebuke
An intervention by a government minister to force the Times to withdraw publication of a feature about the film industry, has raised alarm bells amongst those who value the concept of media freedom. The Times prudently decided to accomodate the minister despite the fact that the interview with Malta's film commissioner had already been conducted. Minister Austin Gatt added fuel to the fire with an article titled "Managing comminications', in which he strongly rebuked the newspaper's editor and the film commissioner while justifying how the government "manages information" and "exercises control" on the media. The bottomline of his argument is that no person holding any public position can speak to the press unless they are first granted permission by the ministry. In my view, such thinking goes contrary to an open and democratic society and should be vehemently opposed.
Thu Aug 18, 10:00:00 AM CESTThis is taking things from the ridiculous to the absurd !
Democracy cannot breathe freely if it is subjected to ministerial 'fiat',exercised at ministerial discretion
J.G.Vassallo
Thu Aug 18, 10:28:00 AM CEST
Minister’s Gatt attitude tastes a little bit fascist, don’t you think? The need to manage communications, the fear of dissent, the fear of diverging opinions, the Minister’s fear that today, “there is little sense of belonging” and the belief that only the central government has a right to speak, all point in that direction. This reminded me of Umberto Eco’s 14 characteristics of Ur-Fascism. Point no. 6 states,
……..The critical spirit makes distinctions, and distinguishing is a sign of modernity. In modern culture, the scientific community sees dissent as a tool with which to promote the advancement of learning. For Ur-Fascism, dissent is betrayal. (Umberto Eco – Five Moral Pieces)
Thu Aug 18, 06:19:00 PM CEST
J.G, The policy of the minister is counterproductive and it will not win him any friends
Rupert, That Eco work is a good reference tool. Such policies are certainly anti-modern and I am surprised that they are condoned
by this government
Thu Aug 18, 09:32:00 PM CEST
Is the work you mentioned by Eco available on-line? Could you provide a link? I would be very interested in reading it.
Thanks,
Antoine.
Mon Aug 22, 04:32:00 PM CEST
A review of Eco's Moral Pieces:
http://www.themodernword.com/eco/review_5moral.html
Sat Feb 17, 04:41:00 AM CET
That's a great story. Waiting for more. » »
Wed Feb 28, 09:45:00 PM CET
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