Disillusionment
The news that the Nationalist Party was awarded a contract worth over half a million Euros by the European Commission is a hot talking point amongst the Maltese public nearly as much as today's visit to the island by Queen Elizabeth. It is easy money for Gonzi's party - a press review was already prepared on a daily basis for internal party purposes before the contract award. Now they repackage it and send it to the EU Representation in Malta every morning for the next five years.
The problem with this contract is not just that it is awarded to a political party in a politically sensitive country. The Nationalist Party is itself the owner of a substantial portion of the Maltese printed and broadcast media which effectively means that it will now be monitoring its own media output on behalf of the EC. Even the most enthusiastic pro-Europeans are questioning the sense of judgement behind this contract award.
The EU Representation in Malta, headed by Joanna Drake - herself a former Nationalist Party parliamentary candidate - will now have to double the effort to bring the EU closer to the Maltese citizens . According to the latest Eurobarometer, Maltese public support for the European Union has gone down by 15 per cent since the referendum in 2003. This issue, which has already been raised in the European Parliament, will not enhance the Maltese public perception of European institutions.
Update: Following an inquiry, the European Commission has decided not to renew this contract after the first year expires in September
The problem with this contract is not just that it is awarded to a political party in a politically sensitive country. The Nationalist Party is itself the owner of a substantial portion of the Maltese printed and broadcast media which effectively means that it will now be monitoring its own media output on behalf of the EC. Even the most enthusiastic pro-Europeans are questioning the sense of judgement behind this contract award.
The EU Representation in Malta, headed by Joanna Drake - herself a former Nationalist Party parliamentary candidate - will now have to double the effort to bring the EU closer to the Maltese citizens . According to the latest Eurobarometer, Maltese public support for the European Union has gone down by 15 per cent since the referendum in 2003. This issue, which has already been raised in the European Parliament, will not enhance the Maltese public perception of European institutions.
Update: Following an inquiry, the European Commission has decided not to renew this contract after the first year expires in September
Fri Nov 25, 02:46:58 PM CETThe interpretation of the term "conflict of interest" in Brussels is different from the interpretation of the same term as understood in Malta or in London.
The Brussels version stinks to high heaven, and calls for God's wrath.
Mon Nov 28, 12:33:39 AM CET
The European Commission does not realise that the Maltese Politics are a special case from the other 24 MS !! Having the Government controlling the media, Interest Groups have a more complex task in proposing national policy at EU level.
» Post a Comment