Some months ago it was reported by the local media that the TV station, UTV, had to restart this October. I would like to know why UTV still did not air this October as announced.

I am one of those who embrace the belief that our cultural, social and religious values, which distinguished us as a Roman Catholic community, have been fading away because of the consistent exposure to violence, obscenity, vulgarity, delinquency and the easy-going attitude shown in the media. We all know the great influence the media has on the lives of a very large segment of the population, especially the younger generation. Unfortunately, we now hear about the closure of Il-Gens newspaper too. We hope UTV, which was a channel that had a socio-religious purpose, does not await the same fate.

We know that the Archdiocese of Malta has its own website but it has opposed the opening of its television station. Perhaps an initiative like that of UTV can counterbalance the many wrong messages we receive through the media and modern ICT. The Archdiocese may be wrong to renounce such a powerful tool. We may be approaching a situation in which the word of God and the communications by the church are restricted to the fewer that attend the Mass.

Initiatives like that of UTV are necessary to refresh the cultural and social values of our parents as well as to increase the awareness of the fruitfulness of giving our children a correct upbringing based on solid moral foundations. In Malta, we need more programmes that inject good principles and steer socio-religious reform. Such programmes are sporadic on our television stations, especially in the Maltese language. We should not be satisfied with a few socio-religious programmes on our local television.

We hope we do not have to wait long until UTV is back on air.

Shaun Zerafa

Qormi