Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501675
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 2 maltatoday EXECUTIVE EDITOR KURT SANSONE ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt Letters to the Editor, MaltaToday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt Letters must be concise, no pen names accepted, include full name and address maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 JUNE 2023 A pastor carpet bombing comedians into silence (a figure of speech) Editorial PASTOR Gordon-John Manchè was at it again last week when he filed a police report for action to be tak- en against comedian Daniel Xuereb. The crime? In one of his skits, Xuereb sarcasti- cally informed his audience that Manchè should be taken seriously when referring to anal sex as being the work of the devil because being an "asshole", he knew a thing or two about the matter. But Xuereb's 'crime' did not end there. He went on to show solidarity with fellow comedian Mat- thew Bonanno, who is also facing criminal charges instituted by Manchè after he said the River of Love church captained by the pastor should relo- cate to Buġibba and be "carpet bombed". The pastor took offence with Xuereb's jokes and claimed the reference to carpet bombing was a threat. In comments to MaltaToday, Manchè went on to say that comedians insulting him "must stop". In one fell swoop, Manchè attempted to carpet bomb comedians into silence; and lest the pastor understands that this leader is claiming that he actually piloted an airplane and dropped bombs on Malta's comedians, he should know this is a figure of speech. No right-thinking individual who saw Xuereb's comedy skit would have understood that the come- dian was inciting anyone to actually hijack a mili- tary aircraft and go on a carpet bombing spree of Manchè and his followers. It is not only ridiculous to think in this way but downright dumb. The Criminal Code does make provisions against insults and threats but due consideration must be given to what was said and the context within which it was said. But more importantly, when talking of insults, the primary consideration should be how this conflicts with the constitutionally pro- tected right to freedom of expression. In Handyside vs UK, the European Court of Hu- man Rights (ECHR) held that the right to freedom of expression, as provided for in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects not only expressions that are favourably received but also those that "offend, shock or disturb". This landmark judgment made it clear that a democrat- ic society would be limp if it only allows space for views and information that are agreeable. What democratic society would it be if feathers cannot be ruffled, and views challenged? This interpretation of freedom of expression, which has also been adopted by the Maltese courts over the years, is what protects Manchè's right to say things that may offend or disturb the few or the many. But just as he expects his right to impart opin- ions be protected at law, Manchè must also realise that Xuereb and Bonanno also have a right to say things that may offend him. And it goes further than that; people have a right to receive what Xuereb and Bonanno have to say just as much as Manchè's followers have a right to receive the teachings imparted by the pastor. In Lingens vs Austria the ECHR held that "the limits of acceptable criticism are accordingly wid- er as regards a politician as such than as regards a private individual". It went on to underscore that a politician "inevitably and knowingly lays himself open to close scrutiny of his every word and deed by both journalists and the public at large, and he must consequently display a greater degree of tol- erance". ECHR case law has also extended this doctrine to public figures when seeking a just balance between the right to privacy and the right to freedom of expression. It is not just politicians who must display a greater degree of tolerance. Manchè is the leader of River of Love and is sufficiently well known to qualify as a public figure. He has appeared on TV shows produced by his own church and has also been involved in public controversy. His sermons are filmed and broadcast on YouTube. He is not a nobody and as such must expect a greater degree of scrutiny on his actions just as the leader of the Catholic church, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, and the leader of the Muslim community, the Imam, should expect. In exercising his right to free speech, Xuereb was commenting, or rather satirising, about an issue that Manchè spoke about and which has been doc- umented on videos disseminated on social media. Manchè chose to speak of anal sex as an aberra- tion. He has every right to believe so and say so. He is definitely not alone to think along these lines. But just as he has the right to espouse those words, others have the right to ridicule his statement and by no stretch of the imagination can this be con- strued to be a threat. The pastor believes that he should be treated with kids gloves and comedians, or journalists, should steer away from making any critical refer- ence to him, his words, or his church. Maybe the Holy Spirit can enlighten Manchè that a democrat- ic society does not work this way. If he cannot stand the heat, he should get out of the kitchen rather than waste precious police time chasing after comedians. And on a separate note. Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà must prepare a standard operating procedure on how police should handle complaints that impinge on free speech. Manifestly frivolous complaints should be dismissed without having to press charges. If the complainant insists, they can always open challenge proceedings in court, which the police can then defend based on their internal procedures. 18 June 2013 Government moving Delimara power plant goalposts – PN THE government was consistently moving the goalposts in its plans to construct a gas power station and gas storage facilities in Delimara, the PN said. Speaking during a press conference this af- ternoon, Opposition MP George Pullicino said that in just a few weeks the Labour government had changed the original 10-year power pur- chase agreement to five years, and was now planning to increase the storage tanks from 60,000 cubic metres to 180,000 "three times the size of the Mosta Dome." "I ask whether the government will also move the goalposts in relation to power plant's energy generation capacity," Pullicino said. He said that one of the options is to have floating storage facilities, moored permanently at Delimara. Pullicino explained that such a vessel would be 300 metres long, 52 metres wide and 15 storeys high, obstructing the ridge completely. Questioning the aesthetic and environment impact of a vessel of similar proportions on the site, Pullicino also noted that such a vessel would be 12 metres deep, however the sea in the harbour is only eight metres deep. This would require dredging, Pullicino added, stressing that this could create further problems, especially with the protected Posido- nia meadows in the surrounding areas. The 300-metre-long vessel will also need a 400-metre quay, which will pose additional problems due to the low depth of the sea. Pullicino also pointed out that the quay might also be necessary to remove or relocate the existing Ħas-Saptan underwater fuelling facility. He questioned whether this would require the relocation of the facility and the costs this would incur. He also questioned the cost of the mammoth dredging works required. Pullicino said wave modelling studies would also be needed to analyse the impact on the Freeport and reiterated that a detailed risk assessment study would be necessary to ensure that this facility is in conformity with the Seve- so directive. ... Quote of the Week "As it has happened in the past, our cooperation can create opportunities that will be beneficial for both countries." Prime Robert Abela in comments to the media after a bilateral meeting in Rome with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday MaltaToday 10 years ago