The government’s instructions to the media for Herman Van Rompuy’s visit
Guess what? They’re going to build that thing on the steps of the Auberge de Castille again, and now it even has a name: a ‘media platform’.
And they won’t allow you onto it unless you ‘rally at the reception desk’ and have a DOI press card. Why, when it’s outdoors on the steps of the ruddy building? Anyone can go and stand there and ask questions, including your aged aunt. It’s a public space.
Oh, they’re speaking about ‘holding areas’ for journalists now, too. Just like sheep or political prisoners.
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DOI/MEDIA INSTRUCTIONS
– DOI Press Card is a must to cover all the events
– Special passes issued by the Office of the Speaker of the House are obligatory to gain access to the House of Representatives
– Dress Code instructions apply
Members of the media are instructed to park their vehicles at the Central Bank of Malta’s parking area by 11h45. A mini van will shuttle members of the media to The Palace. Departure noon sharp.
Note A
Media will have a contained area facing The Palace main entrance. Those opting for this position will NOT be allowed inside The Palace. Only one photographer and/or cameraman and/or journalist from each media organisation are allowed access to the meeting between the President of the European Council and the President of Malta. The media will be shuttled back to the CBM’s parking area by mini van as instructed by DOI Officers on duty.
Note B
Media will have a media platform facing the main entrance of the Auberge de Castille. They are to be in place by no later than 12h45. Media are to report at the Auberge de Castille reception area (entrance via St Paul’s Street) by no later than 12h30.
The same media group covering the signing of the visitors book will also be able to cover the Official photo event (Note C).
Note D
Media assigned to cover the joint press conference are to rally at the Auberge de Castille’s reception area (entrance via St Paul’s Street) by 14h15. Due to space restrictions only one photographer and/or cameraman and/or journalist from each media organisation are allowed access to the joint press conference.
Note E
Members of the media assigned to cover the events in the House of Representatives are instructed to park their vehicles at the Central Bank of Malta’s parking area by 14h45. A mini van will shuttle members of the media to The Palace. Departure 15h00 sharp. Members of the media must have (i) a valid DOI Press Card and (ii) the House of Representatives Special Pass to access the building.
Media can opt to cover the arrival of the President of the European Council at The Palace from a media enclosure in St. George’s Square or go directly to the holding area near the Office of the Speaker. In due course those opting for the media enclosure will be guided by DOI officials to the Chamber of the House for the House sitting.
Note F
A maximum of ten camerapersons and photographers ONLY are allowed to cover this event.
Special pass is obligatory to gain access.
Note G/H/I/J/K
A maximum of ten journalists (not more than one from each media organisation) will be allowed access to follow the sitting from inside the Chamber of the House. Camerapersons and photographers will be ushered in the Chamber of the House as instructed by DOI officials. Their holding area will be the main staircase leading to the Chamber of the House. Once inside camerapersons and photographers will only have access to the two side corridors adjacent to the Strangers’ Gallery.
Note L
The departure of the President of the European Council from The Palace can be covered from a press enclosure in front of The Palace’s main entrance.
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Crikey! Does the press get a body search too?
If we are truly going to be the New Lebanon, then full security bag searches in places from Starbucks’ equivalent to 5-star hotels wouldn’t be amiss.
Would the Press be asked to hand their mobile phones into custody?
“Note G/H/I/J/K “a max of 10 journalists etc”. What happens if the E.U’s or any other international journalists decide to cover this supreme event where one of the E.U. member states prime minister has decided to be so controversial as to be reprimanded within a few hours ? U iva issa naraw….
You could ask what would happen if any of the journalists decide to ask some uncomfortable questions. But you’d be none the wiser.
Do such journalists exist in Malta? Yes, when there is a Nationalist government. Now they are hibernating.
I think they are going to give them the questions already written – the journalists just have to read them out. It is so very well organised to the smallest detail.
‘sharp’, ‘by not later than’. Only Joseph can be late.
All these have been translated from the German instructions of the then Chancellor’s meeting with Neville Chamberlain.
All reporters will be instructed to write, ‘Peace in our time’.
Actually, the highlights of Joseph Muscat’s political career – incidentally both moments of defiance towards the EU which he so much hates – can be summed up in one line:
“Joseph Muscat: From ‘What the Heck’ to ‘Push Them Back.'”
He’ll hold meetings with EU top brass in the train carriage in Birkirkara next.
Those members of the media who will be on the media platform facing the main entrance of the Auberge de Castille by no later than 12h45 had better make sure that they carry a hat, a sunscreen with a high factor and lots of water (unless the Minister of the Far Right intends to provide water in jerry cans from the Main Guard fountain).
If they don’t do so, it will be them, and not the Prime Minister, who will get a grilling under the July scorching sun.
We’ve just invented the press pen – a sheep pen, but for journalists.
Appropriate isn’t it, given that most of our journalists have the mentality of a flock of sheep.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/data/MaltaToday-Survey-Muscat-more-trusted-but-drops-four-points-since-June-20130709
These instructions are quite a briksa.
If the journalists need a waiver, they can call the PM.
Albert Gauci Cunningham would retaliate against that elephant with a bawzer h…
Malta is making China really proud.
Are there any Chinese consultants we should be told about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FatXDjltP3g
Meanwhile, Malta’s foreign and EU policy has been reduced to an international game of chicken.
Nothing new. It was always like that!
Joseph is creating a controlled environment, a limited number of journalists, ten to be precise.
So Lou Bondi, Reno Bugeja, the TVM news room, Smash TV, Rtk, The Times , Independent, Malta today, Illum, L-orizzont, Kullhadd, Super One, Net … wait that’s more than ten.
I bet my bottom Euro that all tickets were sold out before the booking opened.
Journalists should boycott the whole show by saying “This is not push-back, it is a signal that we are not pushovers”.
No need to run for your press card Daphne, there’s no place for you in the sheep pen, tickets were sold out.
Serves the press right.
It was the press with some exceptions that licked Muscat’s ass and literally shot Gonzi point blank.
Now they will find out for themselves why they are becoming the laughing stock.
Next time they will have their videos and photos censored before being allowed out of the pen.
Will our so-called journalists allow themselves to be humiliated to this extent? I would snub the event. Then they can explain to the EU the reason bwhind the boycott. Is the EU office in Malta aware of these Nazistc instructions?
They should all go, point their cameras to the ground and refuse to ask questions.
That would be the loudest comment they could make under the circumstances.
Hypothetically speaking, you’re a journalist with a press card.
Opportunity to ask a crucial question. Not to be missed.
Media representatives will be penned, shuttled, channelled, contained and enclosed.
Next time round they will be given little cards with prepared, vetted questions to ask the PM.
If they do not comply they will be sent back.
They most certainly do not deserve any better treatment.
Mr. Jo Meli – first talks about how women who stick up for the migrants are “Vergini u mxenqna ghal wiehed KBIR jaqaw !!!”
http://s24.postimg.org/bwf4qbinp/Jo_Meli.png
Apparently he was talking about his own daughter:
http://s17.postimg.org/80efzh47z/Jo_Meli_2.png
What a disgusting little man. I guess he won’t take it personally and “go by emotions” when his grandsons grow up to realise their grandfather is a vile racist and calls him so.
What happened to freedom of speech? Same old Labour and you all thought that this was new Labour? One atrocious decision after another.
The press corps got what they deserve since they campaigned for this mess. The more Muscat mistreats them, the more they suck up to him hoping that they will be invited for social drinks.
What!
No electrified barbed wire fence with guard towers and machine guns at the corners.
It would appear that the security staff recruited under the watchful eye of Hon. Min. Emmanuel Mallia have still got a lot to learn.
Mallia will hire the ‘newly liberated’ convicts to secure the area. No need for barbed wire fences when the journalists are surrounded by discreetly armed ex-cons.