On Censorship

Censorship is alive and well in Malta…but it’s not what you think it is.

Many have this notion of Ministers compiling lists of who is acceptable and who isn’t, but Ministers operate on the suggestions of politically appointed experts whose role is to offer advice. Very often, these people act on behalf of a Minister or an institution without any consultation or even right to do so, leading Ministries and institutions in some very awkward and embarrassing situations. In the cultural sector, these political advisors tend to be ‘creative practitioners’, and their advice rests more on furthering personal interests than improving the sector.

The biggest threat to artists in Malta is pretty much other ‘artists’. I put the latter in inverted commas because these people are often obliging mediocrities who are more interested in ingratiating themselves to the powers that be than actually doing anything remotely creative. By censoring or…