John Manduca receives 2003 Gold Award

The Romans called a public service career cursus honorum. They considered that whoever contributed to their social, cultural as well as political life in the widest sense was likely to have served the country in a number of ways, one after the other, in succession, and not stayed in the same field all the time. What was relevant to the Romans may be said to be relevant to our country as well, although this expression is not in everyday use.

It is relevant to be used in John Manduca's case.

John Manduca is a journalist and author in essence: he worked for many years as a humble journalist. He reported and commented.

However, later he carried public burdens, as when he was the first chief executive officer of the Broadcasting Authority in the early Sixties.

After years in management in the field of broadcasting and various other areas, he was asked to occupy the prestigious position of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

He has edited and still edits many publications linked to our country's cultural heritage. Truly a formidable cursus.

He has gone from a journalist to a moderator of transmissions, back to journalism and a managerial position in industry, and then diplomacy, and now cultural publishing.

There is a huge jump between journalist and broadcasting regulator.

Often the journalist when reporting, but even more when commenting, has to take sides.

Certainly, as a commentator and author of reflections, John Manduca left no doubt about his convictions. He was never indecisive or avoiding. Yet he always sought to write what he truly thought. So when he assumed the responsibilities of chief executive of the Broadcasting Authority he had the advantage that everyone knew what to expect from such a person of integrity and courage.

Despite all this, he knew that when you act as an arbiter you have to forget and put aside who previously could have made you such an outstanding person. Apart from this, John Manduca acquired a certain personal authority because of the seriousness of his contributions with which he strengthened the Authority in its early years.

This is certainly more true for the time when he represented the Republic of Malta in the UK. I cannot remember a single criticism of his nomination, nor of the way John Manduca served his mandate.

He has never interrupted his publishing activities. It is this that distinguishes the career journalist: he is incapable of stopping to write. He does not feel he has to retire because he has reached the pinnacle of his career. The journalist is also tied to the day, the present, apart from the past and the future. He is currently dedicated to the appreciation, today and in the future, of that part of our country's past that has survived.

We pay tribute to a person, and to his good qualities. To John Manduca and all he has achieved.

But each one of us is also a symbol. John Manduca is a symbol of distinguished, elevated journalism, a servant of the people who steers clear of futile controversy, a person of refined tastes who seeks to pass them on to others.

There is a hugely different spectrum of journalists, and our country needs this variety of good journalists. It is fitting, therefore that a refined journalist with a well developed style should be recognised; a journalist who went on to do different things and carry with him his journalistic experience into publishing and to safeguard and encourage the safeguarding of our country's huge cultural wealth.

Highlights of John Manduca's career

Joined Allied Malta Newspapers Ltd in 1945; deputy editor 1953-1962; Malta correspondent, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph 1946-1962; chairman, Malta Institute of Journalists, 1957, 1959 and 1961;

11 HAA Regiment RMA (T) 1952-1955;

Malta Broadcasting Authority 1962; BBC attachment 1963; chief executive, MBA, 1963-1968; managing director, Malta Television Service 1968-1971; and managing director, Rediffusion Group of Companies in Malta 1971-1976;

Confederation of Private Enterprise (COPE) director general 1983-1987;

High Commissioner for Malta in London 1987-1990; and concurrently Ambassador to Norway, Denmark and Sweden; and to Ireland in 1990;

RTK Radio director 1991-1993;

St Edwards College Board of Governors chairman 1995-1998; trustee 1997- ;

Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti vice-chairman 1990; Treasures of Malta editor and Patrimonju Publications general editor 1994- (three Patrimonju publications have been awarded literary prizes);

St Agatha Restoration Fund, Mdina, chairman;

Malta Who's Who 1987 editor;

Author Welcome Travel Guide, Malta & Gozo and City of Mdina and Rabat.