Newspapers but, mainly, television stations are the main sources of information. The mainland, Malta, is well-served with a number of TV programmes being produced but Gozo is completely out of the picture, except for the excellent and professional cultural programmes produced by Alvin Scicluna.
The only Gozitans that appear on TV or are invited to participate in debates are only the official representatives of organisations involved in business, , tourism, industry and the financial sector. Of course, they express valid views in relation to their line of business but do not paint the whole picture of life in Gozo. This can best be done by normal Gozitan citizens by communicating their complaints, sorrows, problems, happiness and their visions for the future.
The Gozitans must be given the opportunity to air their grievances on national television and also on political TV stations. There is certainly room for this. Let’s take one example.
After years of hesitation and reluctance by the authorities, a building permit was granted for a building in Kerċem, situated just opposite of the historical and unique Għar Gerduf.
Għar Gerduf, or whatever remains of the original place, is the only site in Gozo featured in the list of buildings, sites and remains under article 6 of The Protection of Antiques Act 1925.
Someone in authority must start listening to the real grievances of Gozitans
The Kerċem local council protested vigorously throughout the years but to no avail. Once the proposed building is ready Għar Gerduf, any access to this ancient tomb will via a private inner garden.
Then, we have the disastrous situation at It-Tokk, Victoria, where all cultural organisations are protesting about some irrelevant trees, which should have been replaced years ago. A court judgment on the matter remins pending, the decision being put off from one month to another. Who knows, perhaps we may have a judgment in a year’s time. What’s the hurry? In Gozo, we take things slowly.
If one would like to have an idea of what the surface of planet Mars looks like one should take the Xewkija to Għajnsielem/Qala road. But who is bringing this to the attention of national TV? Absolutely nobody.
And what about the Gozitans’ views about sports, not only football but also, say, horse and pigeon racing, to mention only two examples?
What about educational and university programmes focusing on the situation in Gozo?
How about one explaining what the working conditions will be like at the General Hospital under foreign management?
There are so many things that Gozitan organisations and individuals can speak about but to no avail because, apparently, only those on the mainland can.
We can learn about the few historic monuments that still remain in Gozo and were not destroyed, like the old cemetery in Victoria and the Phoenician house in Kerċem. What are the prospects of these being restored and afforded the right sort of protection?
We still have the Roman Villa, in Ramla, Borg Għarib, the caves in Ta’ San Rafflu, the old town in the Citadel, where I firmly believe there are lots of hidden aspects yet to be unearthed.
One may recall that the Gozo Ministry had in the past provided Gozo with a TV studio and a wave-link that had cost €139,800 but productions were discontinued on orders from a high-ranking official at the national broadcasting station.
Scicluna and his family run an excellently-equipped studio in Gozo, which boasts modern technology. Its programmes have, for years, been certified by the Broadcasting Authority as being among the best both in quality and presentation. So why not use this facility to produce programmes about the Gozitans, their wishes and aspirations?
The people of Gozo do not like it one little bit when a person who has done something wrong or illegal is labelled as “a Gozitan” by the media.
Why not use the same model as when those living in Malta are involved, that is, give the name and locality? Why treat all Gozitans the sameas if all are bad characters?
Someone in authority must start listening to the real grievances of Gozitans.