Each year there are calls for political party stations to refrain from carrying out their annual fundraising televised marathons just a few weeks prior to Christmas. Unfortunately, each year, this call is ignored, and One and NET, obviously with the blessing of their respective party, persist in turning a blind eye to the public mood. This year, more than ever, the mood has turned to one of disgust and scorn. Hot on the heels of the increases to MPs’ salaries, which has already angered people enough, the Sunday transmissions on the respective party stations were dedicated to cajoling and begging party supporters to dip into their pockets to support their party.
It was interesting to note that while Labour was asking for a telephone donation of either €10, €20 or €30 the Nationalists were asking for a €12, €24 or €48 contribution. They both agreed on the SMS donation though: €6.99.
Watching the Prime Minister making an appeal for funds (in his role as the leader of the Nationalist party) was in particular bad taste, considering the fact that taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill for the MPs’ pay rise. Similarly, it is disconcerting, to say the least, to see the Opposition Leader asking for funds for the Labour party, when this same party is always lamenting how badly off everyone is.
It seems that when it comes to the financing of their media empires, both political parties choose to be oblivious to their own lack of consistency. One party asks people to make sacrifices in order to safeguard jobs, while the other consoles the populace with an “I feel your pain” slogan.
Both, however, are failing to notice the signs of popular discontent from a population which has become increasingly impatient with what can only be described as inappropriate behaviour. It does not seem to occur to anyone within the echelons of the party structures that Christmas is a time for giving to others and not a time for asking for cash for oneself.
Rather than utilising all that airtime roping in entertainers with varying degrees of talent, while the amount raised flashes across the screen, both parties would fare better in public estimation if they raised the money for charity instead.
Political fundraising, if it takes place at all, should really not take place at this time of year. There are simply too many other fundraisers taking place, most notably l-iStrina, which all go towards extremely worthy causes. When one considers how many cases there are of individuals who need urgent medical treatment and who have to resort to fundraising to collect the amount required, what took place on One and NET on Sunday seems even more shameful.
Pitting the financial needs of political parties against the needs of real people with real problems simply smacks of insensitivity.