At the “Times of Malta” they ran into a problem with their Managing Director. He was accused of maladministration. Big contracts concluded in the building of a new printing press were allegedly awarded in a corrupt manner. The accusations made on this issue led to a political and media storm that is still rolling.
“The Times” has specialised in preaching about transparency. Still, it is difficult to really tell who is behind their organization (which also holds for “The Malta Independent” after all). They have for past months been riding a campaign to discredit the government which, by their standards apparently, has been keeping everything it does under wraps because it must have lots to hide.
The paper launched an internal inquiry about the case of its managing director. They took him to court. He did likewise. Now a private agreement has been reached between the parties.
The report of the inquiry should be published. “The Times” cannot shelter behind the claim that it is a private company.
The media either serve as an organ for public communication, the so-called “fourth estate”, or they are a private business. With their refusal to publish the report of the inquiry they themselves commissioned, “The Times” have lost credibility when they feel the inclination to criticise the lack of transparency of others.
Editorial Note: The Malta Independent’s shareholding is transparent and can be publicly verified at the registry of The Malta Financial Services Authority.
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As expected
The European summit held in Malta has come and gone. As expected, no conclusions with colossal implications were agreed. The situation within and outside the EU is too fluid, too many factors have been changing.
In fact it would have been imprudent to take certain decisions as of now, when all are still unsure as to the destination at which President Trump intends to arrive with his policies, and when leading EU countries are heading towards difficult electoral timetables.
Even so, the progress achieved on issues of migration policycan hardly be downplayed – it carries weight, considering that the issue is one which generates explosive political tensions right across the continent.
A majority of European countries have confirmed their intention to continue to follow policies on the lines that weredeveloped up to now. They thus have no alternative; they must step slowly.
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In Valletta
The Maltese presidency of the EU is causing difficulties and losses to residents and businesses in Valletta. Residents are experiencing huge problems finding where to park, and indeed they must sometimes go to Floriana and beyond to find a parking space.
Meanwhile, people are keeping back from visiting Valletta because of transport problems – which is making shops and restaurants lose business.
The idea that these misfortunes will have to be endured for another five months simply helps to make them feel more unendurable.
I doubt whether things could have been organized differently. During the presidency, leaders and ministers from all member states, as well as those from countries outside the Union, were bound to visit Malta. Necessarily, they needed to be given full protection.
In Brussels too, when this happens, traffic congestion is the order of the day. In a small island like ours, this and associated impacts escalate.
Perhaps one could consider whether the residents and businesses ofValletta merit some compensation – even if it is symbolic – in recognition of the inconveniences they have to live with.