Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/698019
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 29 JUNE 2016 TIM DIACONO ROCK band Mistura has reject- ed an offer to perform at the Far- sons Beer Festival, in a show of support for Brikkuni, who were dropped from the festival line- up after its frontman mocked the Prime Minister's wife. The band said in a Facebook post that they had rejected Far- sons' proposal to replace Brik- kuni at the annual summer festival so as to raise awareness against "political bullying". "We are uncomfortable with benefitting from the aftermath of political pressure that was placed on people and a private company [Farsons], which we consider unacceptable," it said. Brikkuni was taken off the line-up for the Ta' Qali festival after its singer, Mario Vella, wrote a crude Facebook com- ment against Michelle Muscat, during her charity swim on Sat- urday. He said he "could not give a toss if Michelle Muscat walked the Antarctic in stilettos" and that he wished her private parts be struck by jellyfish during her charity swim "so that they might resemble her husband 's face". Vella's comment was roundly condemned by various voices on Facebook, who took him to task for the vulgarity aimed at Mus- cat by referring to her genitalia. But it was when the prime min- ister's aide Glenn Bedingfield mounted his own campaign on his personal blog, that the La- bour media One News enquired with Farsons as to whether they would react to Vella's commen- tary. The drinks company respond- ed that it was disassociating it- self from the band to "safeguard our company's position". "It is ridiculous that an idiot like Bedingfield gets to manipu- late what people say or gets oth- ers to target me or put pressure on a private entity to censor me," Vella responded in a com- ment after Farsons dropped the band from the line-up. The incident became the sub- ject of much debate on Face- book, but the consensus seemed clear that while Vella's vulgarity was an unwelcome manifesta- tion of freedom of expression, Bedingfield 's inf luence was setting an uncomfortable prec- edent. The anti-censorship activist Mark Camilleri, who is the Na- tional Book Council's chairman, said Bedingfield 's actions were tantamount to state censorship. "Vella was explicit and rude, an ignorant boor's comment. But I was surprised that Farsons dropped Brikkuni after Beding- field 's blogpost," Camilleri said on Facebook. "Bedingfield must understand that what he writes carries the implicit weight of the State behind him because of his role. Whether you agree with Vella or not, this was state censorship in a complex, yet ef- fective way." One female Facebook com- menter was equally irked by the content of Vella's comment: "I was really shocked at what he wrote. Never read such hate- ful, vulgar, disgusting com- ments. Of course he has a right to say them; he should not be censored. But then people have a right to react and hit back and there are consequences to such vile remarks." Another female commenter said she was worried that the insult had been addressed at a woman in public life. "These sort of comments, even refer- ring to genitalia, for God 's sake, are what keep women out of politics and public life. It is misogynistic bullying – simply disgusting." News Cisk Pilsner is a premium pilsner combining a tradition of brewing excellence and passion with the finest quality Pilsen malt and Noble hops of the Saaz variety. Cool, crisp and immensely satisfying, and with an alcohol content of 5.5%, Cisk Pilsner offers the discerning beer connoisseur a remarkably crisp and well-hopped flavour with a rich white head, a delicate bitterness and a superior aroma originating from the rich essential oils present in the Noble hops. A true Pilsner of exceptional quality. INTRODUCING CISK PILSNER. A LEGEND TO BE SAVOURED BY THOSE WHO SEEK THE BEST. THE EVOLUTION OF A LEGEND Rock band rejects Farsons appearance in support of Brikkuni Singer's Facebook comment on Michelle Muscat sparks online row about vulgarity aimed at women in public office Mistura (above) rejected an offer to perform at the Farsons beer festival instead of Brikkuni