I do not understand how and why the Broadcasting Authority could issue this nonsensical directive other than by explaining that Malta is slowly becoming a one-party dictatorship and people in authority are thinking accordingly. Basically, the Broadcasting Authority is fining RTK for comments made by one of its radio show hosts, Andrew Azzopardi, who called Norman Lowell a racist (he’s a Nazi, so racist is one of the least offensive things you can call him).
When Norman Lowell launched his political movement in Malta around twenty years ago, I was still a young teenager exploring politics in real life for the first time. Norman Lowell’s speeches and racist discourse went viral through websites such as MaltaFly, and soon later a series of violent attacks against immigrants and activists began. Still today we have Maltese people inspired by Norman Lowell who engage in racial violence, like the two soldiers who murdered Lassana Cisse. Historically, Norman Lowell is responsible for inspiring a wave of violence against immigrants and black people in Malta. He also has a list of what he considers traitors that he would like to have banished from the country (I’m on this list, of course).
I share my solidarity with Andrew Azzopardi and RTK in this case. Andrew Azzopardi makes the right decision by refusing to invite Norman Lowell on his show, and this also reflects some degree of maturity on his part as well. I remember very well that when Andrew Azzopardi was still starting his broadcasting activity, I used to challenge him not to discuss or invite Norman Lowell on his progrmmes. Now, that Andrew Azzopardi has become more established and popular as a broadcaster he may be feeling more secure in taking a stand in some cases, instead of just doing things for the sake of popularity.
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
Leave a Reply