Politics and people
Two speeches by two Labour party leaders in seperate countries, yesterday, both reached out for support from people they seek to persuade in forthcoming elections. People often feel disempowered by the political process but, in their different ways, both Tony Blair and Alfred Sant called for a partnership between politics and people representing a modern application of the values traditionally embraced by both their parties. Seeking to win a historic third term, the British PrimeMinister yesterday addressed his party supporters telling them that life is not about euphoric moments but about steady change and that the best policies come not from courting popularity but out of conviction. Ahead of local government elections, the leader of the Malta Labour Party stated a couple of hours later just outside Valletta that a Labour government would be honest with the public and would create employment as well as take decisions in the national interest.
As expected, the national protest organized yesterday by the MLP dominates the media today with extensive front page coverage on all newspapers. The Malta Independent's Matthew Xuereb quotes Alfred Sant saying that Maltese families need a party in government that knows what they are feeling and is able to respond to those needs. Rosanne Zammit writing for the Times reports the Labour leader stating that the situation in the country is so bad young Gozitans are turning to their MPs asking for help to emigrate to Australia or Canada in search of a better life.
I don't know if Ruth Davies from MaltaMedia was present in Valletta but her disappointing report ( much shorter than her report about a carcade two Sundays ago) attempts to downplay the massive event referring to the attendance of "several people" who she later qualifies as "hundreds of people". MaltaMedia can do better than this. To have an idea of the scale of the event have a look at the photo here , part of l-Orizzont's detailed report. Even the Nationalist Party called it a 'mass meeting' in it's front page coverage (no website available). The MLP has complained to the Broadcasting Authority about the poor coverage of the protest by the Public Broadcasting Services and I suppose Ruth Davies would feel at home in the PBS newsroom.
Give us policies not mudslinging - Guardian
posted by Robert Micallef at 2/15/2005 06:35:00 AM
I do not wish to come across as rude by submitting this comment; however after stumbling across this blog entry, I feel that I should be allowed to let my voice heard.
This issue occurred quite a while ago and I don't want it to lead to some pathetic drama arena where insults fly. So please keep in mind that this comment comes in peace.
I did not, in any way, attempt to deliberately "downplay" the MLP event. I enjoy what I do and I try to do it the best I can. I'm sorry if you found my article disappointing. This in itself did not bother me in the slightest. You're entitled to your opinion and you could have called the article whatever you pleased. For all I know Maltamedia could be able to do "better than this", as you said.
However the implications that I would find myself to be more comfortable in a PBS newsroom did not tickle my fancy. I think it is irresponsible that such a judgment was thrown my way. My political affiliation is my business and mine alone and additionally something which I do my utmost to keep separate from my job. I do not feel that anyone should think they have the right to hint at what it might be, especially if all the insight they've had about it is an article. Finally I'd like to point out that I'm a 20-year-old University student, still at the ropes of learning what reporting is about. Being compared to people who have been in the business for years and still can't, or doesn't want to get it right, isn't quite plesant.
As I've already pointed out, the last thing I'm interested in is for this to turn into a petty internet argument. That said I feel I should be able to have my say, and why not, defend myself as necessary. I have no problem whatsoever with your criticism about my article. Actually, I'm thanking you because it was done in a very constructive manner. The next time such a report comes my way I'll do my utmost to tackle it in the manner most appropriate.
Other than that, I want to compliment you on your blog. A wonderful job.
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for your comments which I take in good spirit.
My criticism was directed at your choice of words in reporting a massive event that was attended by thousands:
"Several people joined the Malta Labour Party (MLP) in what was deemed a National Protest held on Sunday at the Floriana Granaries..."
Your use of "several people" and the way you suggested that the mass meeting was attended only by "hundreds" of people did not, in my view, represent a fair description of the event. Did you actually attend the event? The words used to describe PN events on the same day were much kinder.
I know it is never easy for independent journalists to report events in the middle of a hot Maltese electoral campaign. As a journalist you are entitled to your political choices but fairness and proper representation are important for anybody in the media who is concerned with credibility. And if I were a journalist I would be "bothered" if people were disappointed with my reporting.
You write that "political affiliation is my business and mine alone" Those who know me can tell you that I am not one who has any particular hang ups about politics. I enjoy debating with people who are politically inclined elsewhere and I would never take it against anyone simply on the basis of political affiliation. It would never cross my mind to question anybody's freedom of political affiliation nor would I pry into anyone's private political choices.
What I find most interesting in your reply is the fact that you take offence to the fact that i compared you to a PBS journalist. Your reaction indicates clearly the kind of reputation currently enjoyed by the PBS newsroom. The fact that public broadcasting in this country is so distrusted is truly a matter of concern for all of us.
Anyway Ruth, I enjoy following your reporting and I have linked to some other stuff you have written. And my blog is now part of MaltaMedia so take this as a chat amongst colleagues. If you see me, stop me so that we can continue this conversation possibly in a more pleasant setting.
And thanks for complimenting my blog :)
Hi Robert,
Thank you for replying to my comment. It’s good to know that a healthy debate can flourish from this.
Yet again I apologize if my article was worded inappropriately. I cannot thank you enough for pointing this out. I find this type of advice very helpful for my job.
In all honestly I was not aware that my article might have sounded that biased. I'm very concerned about giving all three political parties their fair share of adequate and correct coverage. The fact that I might have failed to carry out that task to completion indicates that I have a lot to learn but I am not disheartened. I am a little "bothered", but I'm also determined to ensure that the next time round, such a thing does not occur. The thought of "bothering" a reader, bothers me more than anything else.
I also hope that I did not offend you when I spoke of my political affilation. I did not, in anyway want to hint that you were prying into my private political choices.
"The fact that public broadcasting in this country is so distrusted is truly a matter of concern for all of us." I also find this as a reason to be concerned. I truly hope that things will change in the future.
If I do see you around I will make it a point to stop you and we can definitely catch up on this. It a very interesting discussion and as I've said, I have found it incredibly helpful. Although I felt a little disturbed at first, I am glad to say that the criticism was due and best of all, constructive.
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