Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1488125
AS a national broadcaster, PBS has a public service obligation to entertain, inform and to create a public space where history is treasured and shared. But reports that a mini-documentary series on former prime minister Dom Mintoff has been scrapped by the PBS board, 'for fear of a backlash from Nationalist viewers', suggests that the national broadcaster is reneging on this aspect of its obliga- tions. Even worse, it suggests that any work touching on contemporary history and divisive political figures remains 'taboo': a state of affairs that precludes any possibility of a mature, informed discussion about recent Maltese political history. In this case, the tenth anniversary of Mintoff's death was an excellent opportunity for the national broadcaster to commemorate this important histor- ical figure with a production that assesses his legacy as a statesman and politician who - love him or hate him - did change the course of Maltese history. Naturally, it is important that there are clear ob- jective criteria to assess the quality of such works before these are screened. But it is also crucial that such works are not sanitised and turned in to harm- less hagiographic works. In this sense the criteria for inclusion in the national broadcaster's schedule should be that any such work is well-researched and well-scripted: and not whether it irks any political category, be it the adulating or detracting crowd. As a result of the PBS board's decision, we have no way of assessing whether this particular production fulfilled such criteria; but irking Nationalist viewers should surely not be a criterion for exclusion; in the same way as offending Labour sensitivities should also not be one of the criteria. Unfortunately, however, political polarisation has generated two parallel competing narratives of po- litical history: which has effectively turned our con- temporary history as a nation into a taboo, to the extent that contemporary history is barely touched upon in Maltese secondary schools. Nor should producers fall into the trap of pro- ducing something harmless which offends nobody, while offering the public nothing new. In fact, one of the main criteria for such productions, when screened on the public broadcaster, should be that of providing new historical insights about events and historical figures: including information which sheds light on the 'darker' side of towering histori- cal figures. This is not easy, however. For example, Mark Montebello's recent biography on Mintoff was well-researched, but found itself on the receiving end of criticism from the patriarch's family for shedding light on Mintoff's turbulent and colourful personal life. Yet surely no documentary or historical work on Mintoff would be complete if it fails to explore this side of the man. The same applies to other his- torical figures meriting a documentary treatment: including businessmen, journalists, artists and re- ligious figures. Asking questions on the sexuality, love affairs, corrupt dealings and obsessions of the people receiving the documentary treatment should be the order of the day. For example, any documentary on Mintoff which fails to investigate the alleged blackmail made by Lorry Sant – through photos which at some stage were even tabled in parliament – would fail the test. And while the national broadcaster has al- ready screened a good quality production called Biografiji, this also failed to cast light on the dark side and shady dealings of entrepreneurs like Tu- mas Fenech. Neither should the public broadcaster be under any obligation to counterbalance a documentary on Mintoff, with a similar production on a Nationalist personality (or vice versa). Instead of such an in- fantile notion of balance, what is needed is a set-up within the national broadcaster which is respon- sible for commissioning historical documentaries, which in full autonomy decides which anniversaries should be commemorated and which aspects of his- tory probed. This unit should also be put in charge of the national broadcaster's precious archives which could provide material for more documen- taries on various aspects of contemporary history. Ideally this structure should include histori- ans, academic and journalists who could take re- sponsibility and answer for the decisions they make. Moreover, while setting guidelines and en- suring that documentaries respect basic rules on historical accuracy and the sourcing of information, such a board should also respect the artistic creativ- ity and freedom of the producers submitting their work. What Malta needs is more public funding and greater opportunities for a variety of produc- ers hailing from different cultural, social and polit- ical backgrounds; and above all, a departure from the notion of balance and the paralysing fear of of- fending someone. But it has to start with a national broadcaster that at least attempts to fulfil its public service obli- gations. As such, the PBS board would do well to revise its ill-judged decision to cancel the Mintoff min-documentary, so that the general public can at least form its own opinion on the subject. Cancelling Mintoff, is cancelling Maltese history 11 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR: MATTHEW VELLA EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 DECEMBER 2022