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| Michael Carabott, editor, The Malta Independent daily |
Today, Michael Carabott, the editor of the Malta Independent, developed the argument I raised here about the need for both parties close down of their TV and radio stations.
Here is his editorial: click - Inappropriate: Making a farce out of the media.
As it sails on the open market, a political station-turned-private has to sink or swim. And its editorial and commercial decision-making follow suit as night follows day.
9 comments:
I agree but only after proper party financing laws are designed and there are proper broadcasting laws in place and another national station on the model of Rai. As things stand PBS isn't unbiased enough.
But would the electorate be happy to cover the costs? I think not. One shouldn't forget that the nationalist party made a meal of labour's proposal on party financing. They didn't seem to agree with the principal I believe.
There's a thesis by Reuben Sciberras that addresses this issue. More here: http://www.maltainsideout.com/13322/preaching-to-the-converted/
@ Alex Grech - yes, it was pointed out to me already. I found it quite illuminating. Thanks.
Just this evening on 'Clint on One' on ONE tv , JEJZIN Micallef was boasting on how ONE was the only PRIVATE and COMMERCIAL tv station in Europe in direct competition with National TV and on just how impressed with the sales , the agents and commercial entities advertising with ONE productions are.Mejtin bil-guh u ma hawnx flus fl'idejn skond il partit tal-progressivi ta Joseph Muscat ukoll!
I see your Mike's point and it is a valid one. The propaganda on NET and One is an insult to anyone's intelligence.
However, can journalists working for a private company really be impartial? Wouldn't that depend on the political inclinations of the brand owning the company? Case in point are the Mediaset channels. They may not be state owned but they're still controlled by the country's commander-in-chief.
Two points:
1. PBS was neutered to decrease competition with the political stations
2. The fact that the agendas of private stations are set by "market forces" is not necessarily a good thing. Look at all the "independent studies" financed by private firms that "prove" that white is actually black ... just because the sponsor produces black paint! The same could apply to private TV stations.
We will still need a PROPER state-run station without the meddling of the Xandir days. How to achieve that is for the great minds of this country to figure out.
For PBS to be truly independent, financing should come straight through the licence fee rather than through the state coffers, same as with the BBC.
@ Kurt, all it takes is strong backbone and a belief in upholding impartiality and looking for the truth. Do we get it right all the time ? No. Do we try to get it right? Yes. Does everyone else? Sadly not. Just as we have rogue bankers, traders, bent judiciary and police, we have bent journalists.
PS that last comment was from Mike Carabott.. Gmail insists on quoting my blog handle
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