I have already written in this very same space about the small-pack race that took place, soon after Daphne Caruana Galizia’s tragic assassination, among allied wannabes who, in search of some glorious or notorious reason, wanted, obviously still want, to take her place on the Maltese media platform.

This on-going race, however, has had more of that hilarious traditional spectacle during which some people try to fly their cardboard DIY aircraft only to fall off the pier and into the sea below rather than a serious candidature for the filling of a major, albeit contentious void. A nap hand of candidates has turned themselves into pathetic parodies as they jostle for the title that, really and truly, cannot be claimed by anyone. Yes, one can be crueller and cruder, indeed more obstinate and antagonistic, but in real, professional journalism there is this special need of an inbred style, which can be both linguistic and often also journalese in character and form.

The challengers for the unenviable title are various and I will not go into names out of respect to other well-meaning fellow media scribblers, but it is indeed appalling to watch two or three of them going to unprecedented depths by way of trying to be Daphnies. The reading public is the king-maker in this process and it is now simply not interested in badly-simulated methods of mud-slinging when fake news and fake issues have, thanks to the Trumps, Salvinis and Johnsons of the world, have started to literally suffocate the information world.

The latest wretched piece on the national canvas has appeared in another section of the English language press, one that has seemingly given up on its original credentials. It deals with the children of politicians as if they are mere robots to be switched on and off and not innocent human beings who need to be protected from the 24/7 trudge of Maltese politics. It takes the prize for the most inhumane and insensitive contribution to an issue that deserves to be discussed in a much more sincere and realistic manner.

It was hardly surprising that people of whichever political colour were shocked by such comments, from what is obviously a twisted mind, as “bullying is part of growing up” and that “the Muscats should be raising their children to form a thick skin”. Is it possible that someone who has the stomach to write such horrible stuff is able to sleep peacefully at night? How have the sweet, see-my-Simon smiles of the electoral campaign a mere 14 months ago turned into such ugly grimaces that send sickening signals of hatred and arrogance?

The eloquent response from the Commissioner for Children on this shameful outburst by yet another pathetic Daphne caricature promptly helped ease people back into sitting position. She rightly stated bullying and harassment of children are not acceptable and never justified.

While pointing out that people in the public eye, irrespective of whether one is in the entertainment industry, a successful entrepreneur or involved in politics, could cause repercussions on one’s children, the Commissioner for Children emphasised the need “for parents or guardians, educators, educational institutions and all other adults” to ensure that all children are protected from all forms of bullying, harassment and/or discrimination from the fallout of political or religious polarization.

Indeed, we have all been to school and been bullied or were ourselves perpetrators of some sort of bullying. And indeed, it is all part of growing up. But that is when we are talking about childhood jealousy, silly little pocket-money rivalries, and funny classroom feuds and not cases of children specifically marked for atrocious attitudes and treatments that include isolation, social barring from certain school activities and even birthday and other kids’ celebrations – no doubt instigated by irresponsible adults who should know better and educators who stand accused of turning a blind eye to it all.

The disgraceful “thick skin” impudence shown in this case about the Prime Minister’s children is, yet again, a horrendous plunge into depths only the emotionally and politically desperate can reach.

 

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Never mind the minnows

It is a tough life for minnows, be they nations or companies. History is replete with cold and brutal examples, from the shameful forage carried out during the colonial era and countless wars, to economic and political hegemony and warped globalisation. You are small, you are insignificant, you have to follow, you cannot lead.

When there are exceptions to this ancient tenet, lo and behold. To have to watch, for example, the lamentable efforts of big-country representatives seeking to find holes and crevices in the Maltese financial services sector when theirs are the supreme offenders is infuriating to say the least. The same goes for other sectors like the rule of law, freedom of expression, gaming and even the routine matter of yachting taxation. In the latter’s case, Malta does exactly what France and Italy do, but only Malta continues to be subjected to officious jibes.

I marvel at the calm and collected demeanour of our Prime Minister, our Minister for Finance and the local S&D MEPs in the face of all this brazen attitude. They wisely choose to tackle it by resorting to the realistic use of proper channels and corridors, rather than to mere nationalistic ardour. A successful minnow, even the smallest, is never a likeable proposition for the controlling giants of the world, as we have seen in the past when people were trying to interpret and misinterpret the ongoing success of Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, Monte Carlo, Iceland and, today’s reality, Malta, among others.

Incredibly, even in the world of sports, the same unjust, indiscriminate attitude persists. FIFA’s choice of Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, for example, was never accepted by the much bigger bidders from both the East and West. Rich minnow country does not deserve the pleasure of hosting the world’s best footballing talents.

Immediately after the recent World Cup in Russia, the guns were focused back on Qatar. Out comes the UK Times saying “Qatar sabotaged World Cup rivals with black ops” and an orchestrated Western-based outrage quickly followed. Hardly had the news been lost to the latest stupid Trump tweet, when, wonder of wonders, out comes the UK Daily Star, clamouring: “England: we’ll host 2022 World Cup”. Obscene.