Comments passed by former V18 Artistic Director Mario Philip Azzopardi about PN MEP Roberta Metsola were heavily criticised by people from both major political parties this week.

He had uploaded a photo of the MEP, with the following text: “It is so difficult not to hate this sick woman. How can she sleep at night knowing that the country hates her with a passion. They hate you, Roberta.”

That a number of politicians from the PN came to Metsola’s defence is no surprise, however when Culture Minister Jose Herrera and Parliamentary Secretary for Equality Rosianne Cutajar also did, it sent a message.

This shows that people from both sides of Parliament can come together to defend each other against derogatory comments made against someone, despite their political colour.

Indeed, Cutajar said “It is this lack of civilised debate that leads to hatred and unfortunately also violence. Let us not be part of it.”

This is not the first time Mario Philip Azzopardi has been at the centre of controversy, indeed one wonders how he was allowed to occupy the post of V18 Artistic Director in the first place given he is capable of making such comments, and this should serve as an example for those in power to only appoint people who should set an example to others in such prominent positions, rather than people who make such comments.

Back in 2014, Mario Philip Azzopardi, who was going to take up an appointment as V18 artistic director soon after, had gone on a rant about Islam, and later apologised for it.

Back in 2018, Mario Philip Azzopardi, had described Martina Urso as ‘a sorry bitch’ after she partook in and filmed a protest against the sale of passports in London, and later apologised for it after being called out and saying that he fell victim to fake news that was written, and saw red.

Perhaps this should serve as a lesson to everyone, that what is posted on social media can have consequences, such as hurting others.

Indeed, Mario Philip Azzopardi is not the only person in Malta making comments that many see as being wrong.

There have been countless stories written about Maltese people spewing hate speech, writing racist comments on social media, and just in general crossing lines.

Before writing a comment, one should ask themselves ‘would I say this to another person face-toface, and if yes, would this do nothing but harm them?’

Hate speech in Malta does have legal consequences as well, but aside from that, there is also the morality question.

Politicians should be criticised over their actions and over what they say, yes, but there is a line which must not be crossed. Just like everyone, they are human, have spouses, children and parents. Sometimes politicians get targeted in the way they do because politicians from the other side of Parliament would target them, thus indirectly inciting the more die-hard supporters to make derogatory comments.

But politicians have shown that they can come together in the fight against such speech, ant let’s hope that in the future, when politicians are targeted with comments that do cross lines, more people can come together and say ‘this is wrong’.