Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537233
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 • 6 JULY 2025 The rival who shall not be named: PN's election rules are stifling Editorial THE Nationalist Party has published the media guidelines it expects the prospective leadership candidates to follow over the next six weeks, while the due diligence process is underway. To say the guidelines are a disappointment is an understatement, especially from a political party that has made it its mantra to champion trans- parency and dialogue. The guidelines are restric- tive and reminiscent of a siege mentality. They stifle debate, which should be the cornerstone of a leadership contest. While Adrian Delia and Alex Borg can give in- terviews to the independent media—after getting clearance from the party and following assuranc- es that both will be featured—the party's elector- al commission has barred them from debating each other. The guidelines also give off Harry Potter vibes with the two prospective candidates unable to refer to each other—the rival who shall not be named! And trying to impose on independent journal- ists carrying out the respective interviews a con- dition that they should not ask questions about the other candidate is not only an affront to free- dom of expression but also messy. It also tries to preclude independent journalists from asking very pertinent questions on the re- lationship between the two former allies and any alleged pacts between them, thus leaving even more room for speculation. The guidelines also stipulate that after the six- week due diligence process is over and the cam- paign proper kicks off, the candidates will only be allowed to give interviews to the PN's media. In other words, a media blackout. While it is understandable that the PN should try to create a level playing field, this attempt to micro-manage the media-aspect of the lead- ership campaign under the guise of fairness and equity goes contrary to what one would expect from a political party in a democratic country. Why stifle debate? Why prevent a clash of ide- as and values from taking place? Why fear hav- ing different views being contrasted? Why try to straight-jacket candidates? Why deny party members and the rest of the nation access to de- bates from which they can draw their own con- clusions on who is best suited to lead the PN? This is a contest that will be decided by mem- bers but it is also of interest to the rest of the nation. Members will not only choose a party leader but also a vision, an inspiration, a set of values, which is why it is necessary to have a healthy debate and authentic dialogue. Individual interviews are important and necessary to explore issues and concerns in a more in-depth way but they are complementary to debate and dialogue between the candidates themselves and with others. Party members will also, potentially, be choos- ing the country's next prime minister. Therefore, it stands to reason that they will also base their verdict on how the two candidates engage with the media. This is not a parochial contest but a national event. It is unfortunate that the PN has taken this road. There is still time to change direction. Such an- tics only contribute to erode public trust in what is an important process not just for the PN but also for the country. In the words of a former party functionary, who expressed his bewilderment at the guidelines on social media: "A party that aspires to lead a dem- ocratic country must first trust its own tesserati, not fear differing views. If they're afraid of inter- nal debate, how can they claim they're ready to convince an entire nation?" The party must understand that its actions will be scrutinised by a much wider cohort of peo- ple than its own members. Voters will inevitably draw comparisons between the party's behaviour now and how they perceive it will act if in gov- ernment. The PN must realise that democracy begins at home. MaltaToday will not be expressing any prefer- ence but rather give space to both candidates to make their case. We will critically engage with Delia and Borg to understand where their ide- ological barometer lies. We will challenge them on their views concerning the environment, the relationship between politics and the construc- tion industry, euthanasia, civil rights, foreign workers and immigration, among other issues. We will analyse what is being said and putting this into a wider context, as we always do. And we expect the candidates and the PN to re- spect our job. Nonetheless, there is nothing that precludes in- dependent media houses from expressing their preference for one or the other of the candi- dates—this is normal in a democracy and neither the PN nor the candidates should be taken aback if it happens. Quote of the Week "They destroyed not only the victims' lives but they shattered the lives of many more. A sentence of life imprisonment accompanied by solitary confinement will be the right message to society and help bring closure." Lawyer Joe Giglio making the case for harsh punishments to be handed down against Daniel Muka and Viktor Dragomanski, in the murder case of Christian Pandolfino and Ivor Maciejowski. Giglio appeared parte civile for the victims' relatives. The judge is expected to deliver judgment on Tuesday, 8 July. MaltaToday 10 years ago Montekristo trade fair refused police permit 5 July 2015 THE police have withheld a permit for the holding of the Fiera 1-Kbira trade fair at Mon tekristo Estates, after the Malta Environment and Planning Authority objected to a permit being given, because of enforcement orders on the site at Hal-Farrug. The objection puts at risk the tradefair, which would host over 230 exhibitors, but its organ- isers have told MaltaToday they intend going ahead with the 9 July opening date. MEPA and the police are said to be sticking to their guns on their refusal. MEPA has said that the trade fair can take place only on the land where there are no plan ning illegalities, which leaves out a large open space where the fair has to be sited. But Polidano Bros. chief executive officer Jean Paul Sammut told MaltaToday that the area has been cleared of all illegal structures. "Since November 2013, Charles Polidano has removed, at his own expense, all illegalities out lined by MEPA chief executive officer Johann Buttigieg, in full cooperation with the law." But the enforcement notices on the area in question still stand, among several slapped on the construction tycoon at the flagship Mon tekristo estates, which also included an illegal car park over a huge tract of land....