Criticism is frequently expressed about the performance of regulatory agencies in different fields of activity, from consumer protection to health safeguards at workplaces. Some, in their drive to rubbish their own country, have little scruples in exagerrating their criticism, as with financial services. In other cases, criticism is more justifiable, such as in the protection of the environment and the urban heritage.

However, a cardinal point must be kept in mind. During the last five years, the Maltese economy has grown by more than 54 per cent, by more than half that is. Such growth is not only unprecedented in Malta’s modern history. In and of itself, it has created enormous pressures on the public institutions that have operational and oversight functions. Up to quite recently, they were designed and kept on track on the basis of assumptions related to much smaller economic and social changes than the ones they now face.

Effectively, it is uncertain whether they are succeeding to cope with the ongoing growth. Unfortunately in such circumstances, mistakes can be made quite “naturally” and the wrong decisions are taken. There is a vital need to devise a strategy that counters this problem.

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Fake news

Fake news is not a problem that emerged in our times. It has been around since for as long as people used information to compete for resources and power.

What is different today results from the speed and instant spread with which fake news can be projected to a global population. And then, with the use of technical processes which are being improved non-stop, that same news can continue to be updated and repeated.

Meanwhile, digital programmes having enormous power are available to research on what billions of people are thinking about topics being subjected to fake news treatment. So faking can be carried out more effectively by reinforcing the influences that shape the consideration people give to events, as well as how they vote or consume.

It is doubtful whether any remedy can exist to correct for this alarming state of affairs. Humanity seems to be entering into an era where choices are made and decisions taken on the basis of criteria set by a handful of individuals who control a vast apparatus designed to show reality in a false light and to get it understood by people in a fake manner.

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Żejtun

At an event held in Zejtun last week, I had the opportunity to meet many many friends again with whom I had participated in so many longstanding, now forgotten political campaigns. Even if just for this, it was a memorable experience.

Moreover, the debate we had was quiteinteresting. At a time when  World Cup matches are at their peak, one could not expect so much interest in a subject like the one we were focussing on, namely the EU’s budgets for the years 2020 – 2027 and Malta’s share in them. It’s a topic that feels too technical, too distant from what concerns Maltese families in their everyday lives. Yet, actually and as a matter of fact, it can have –will have – a not insignificant impact on the Malta of the years at reference.

We had a lengthy discussion about this. As was to be expected, the emphasis was on how Brexit and immigration will affect EU finances in the future.