The manipulators

The Malta Independent

The Manipulators

Providence plans certain incidents to expose the manipulators.` Lou Bondi` and Peppi Azzopardi of Where`s Everybody` fame have been exposed as the media manipulators pushing subjective agenda whilst wearing the mantel of objectivity.

A few months back Bondi` wrote that I ruined his Italian lunch and spoiled` the taste of his carefully selected Antinori wine because I allegedly wrote an article were I advocated Labour`s return to use of violence.

All people of good intentions know that my article was doing the exact opposite. Under the title Blairing the Gap I advocated that Labour should reach for the middle ground of Maltese politics in Blair style and appealed for the power organisations to shed off their prejudice towards Labour. It was here that I made the remark that these organisations should do so unless they would prefer to see Labour return to their physical force practices so ably eradicated by Alfred Sant. I never` suggested that Labour should do so, but only speculated whether the prejudiced organisations` would prefer it to do so.

Turning my argument on its head Lou Bondi & co. argued that I was instigating Labour`s use of force when in fact I was proposing for Labour to be allowed to govern by reaching a pact with the middle ground as Blair did for Labour in Britain.

The Daphne used a totally transparent dose of irony when she claimed that if Joe Mifsud were to be assaulted in the same manner as the ex-Police Commissioner was condemnably assaulted in Republic Street, then there would be a chorus of approval. A straight undiluted appeal for Joe Mifsud to be physically assaulted. The irony is completely lost on me. And` those who know me know` that I don`t usually lose an opportunity to be ironic.

TMID editor apologised honourably. The Press Club immediately condemned the clear instigation of violence against a journalist. But Bondi who was so scandalised with my supposed threat of violence` saw nothing wrong with Daphne`s uttering even though Daphne herself had to explain that we are stupid for missing her ironic innuendos ( a simple apology would have been much more appropriate). On the contrary the Where`s Everybody` duo condemned the Press Club for their prompt statement` condemning the threat of violence against a journalist and accused the Club for using double standards.

Their measure of double standards is that the Press Club` never condemned their (Bondi` & Azzopardi) critics.` `Prime culprit is Manwel Cuschieri who continues insisting to expose their credentials and agenda.

Now Cuschieri` s style is not something I would totally endorse. I think he can be more effective by focussing on arguments rather than personalities. But Cuschieri has never come even anywhere close to instigating any sort of violence against anybody let alone claim that it would be applauded.

On the contrary Cuschieri goes out of his way to condemn violence. Cuschieri does not even pretend to be the shining example of unbiased and objective journalism, a claim repeatedly made by the Where`s Everybody` duo.

Can Bondi` please explain where is his consistency in savagely criticising me for what I have not said regarding the promotion of violence but unashamedly opposing the Press Club timely and unreserved condemnation of the use of violence against a fellow journalist`

Media manipulation is an art skilfully employed by the Where`s Everybody` duo.` They do it ten times more effectively then Manuel Cuschieri can ever hope to do. That is` unless he can convince a nationalist government to give him` peak time current affairs programmes on TVM` leaving the substantial resources of the TVM newsroom idle as standby scene watchers as` the job they were employed to do is expensively outsourced to the likes of Where`s Everybody` As the old adage goes never bite the hand that feeds you.