In The Malta Independent on Sunday of 4 November, Daphne Caruana Galizia commented on the fact that according to a recent news report, an EU survey had found that the Maltese read the least in the EU. In fact less than half of us have read a book in the last year; one book, that is, not a variety of books. “No wonder we are incapable of seeing things for what they really are, or assessing situations properly and within a wider context,” she wrote

As usual she hit the nail on the head. However, in spite of her insightful conclusion, she is seemingly oblivious to the fact that her interpretation of this survey could just as well be applied to some of her writing. Notwithstanding the fact that Ms Caruana Galizia must surely be an avid reader, it has now become we might say, customary for the great majority of her readers to expect her to back her arguments with sound logic and a certain intelligent flair, whatever the subject. However, it appears, sadly, that when she ventures into the subject of local politics her standard of journalism drops precipitously.

To give one example, in one of her recent articles she equated Dom Mintoff’s great achievements with the subject of imported mackerel – or was it sardines. Do I have to spell out the absurdity of such a slip? I do not think so.

As I stated in the same newspaper sometime last July, women of mettle in Malta are scarce, but Daphne is surely one of them. However, it is evident that there is one subject in which she is still a trifle weak – Maltese Political and Social History. I sincerely feel that once Daphne embarks on a crash course of the subject there is a good probability that she shall never vote for the PN again!

Vladimir Cini

MARSAXLOKK