Why are these even considered news items for a national newspaper?
Published:
June 28, 2014 at 8:28pm
In one of these stories, no public figures are involved, the damage caused was valued at a piddling 450 euros (piddling in terms of news value and importance, that is), and this was just a row in a rented flat resulting in a damaged door for which the landlord sued.
For crying out loud.
And the other story is about three grams of cannabis. Three grams. How do you even see that, or weigh it without one of those things used by gold-dealers?
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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140628/local/frenchman-admits-wilfully-damaging-door.525393
Because they are incapable of reporting serious news which affects everyone’s daily life, like the economy and serious and irresponsible decisions made the government.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140627/local/three-grams-of-cannabis-found-at-lyster-detention-centre.525292
I thought 3 grams was the weight of the sock.
As for a cardboard door costing 450 euro – the Frenchman’s been had I suspect.
Here is some news worthy of reporting in the national media.
Two men of Maltese descent make it to the 2014 BRW Rich 200 List in Australia.
Rank 130: Shaun Bonett, worth Aus$375 million.
Rank 195: Anton Tagliaferro, worth Aus$255 million.
http://www.brw.com.au/lists/rich-200/2014/
http://www.brw.com.au/p/entrepreneurs/brw_rich_list_the_wealthiest_people_fiLZciSi9KkZbD1heBe8OI
Some past coverage in the Maltese media:
1. Shaun Bonett.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2007-09-09/news/the-next-generation-179026/
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20070928/local/maltese-property-developer-tops-australias-young-rich-list.3769
2. Anton Tagliaferro.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120308/business-news/Anton-Tagliaferro-Managing-equity-portfolios-worth-3-5bn.410236
Unfortunately, Rebel Bikie ‘Maltese Falcon’ Alex Vella has not made it to the list, as yet.
One hopes that the main Maltese media houses will have a representative at Gasol plc’s general meeting on 10 July at 10am, at 40 New Bond Street, London.
They can reach some of the angry and disappointed shareholders and arm them with a set of questions, such as about the project in Malta.
http://www.gasolplc.com/media/19149/gasol_shareholder_circular_23_june_14_final.pdf
The Maltese media should be filling their pages with investigation into the delisting of Gasol plc from the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market.
After this event, unless sold to someone else, Gasol will become a private company held and controlled by African Gas Development Corporation, a company registered in the Seychelles.
Our government will be dealing with a company controlled from the Seychelles by unknown persons for the benefit of unknown persons.
The Seychelles is a secretive offshore location where companies can be set up within 24 hours, hide behind nominees, pay no taxes, and do not publish annual reports.
“Just £349 ($560) buys you a company in the Seychelles, with no local taxation, no public disclosure of directors or shareholders and no requirement to file accounts” – The Economist, 7 April 2012
http://www.economist.com/node/21552196
http://www.aabol.sc/Why%20Seychelles.html
http://www.financial-guardian.com/confidentiality-and-secrecy-in-seychelles/
In other countries, these matters concern their media.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/datablog/2013/apr/03/uk-companies-controlled-offshore
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/series/offshore-secrets?guni=Article:in%20body%20link
See other comments here:
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2014/06/gasol-plcs-share-price-has-fallen-by-55-84-over-the-last-year/
Isn’t it obvious? The “news value” is that in both cases it was those pesky forriners involved.
Endemic parochialism prevents the national papers from realising that they are national papers not the village gazette.
Well, that’s Times of Malta for you, falling back in quality for the past two or three years now.
“How The Island Of Seychelles Became A Haven For Dirty Money”
http://www.ibtimes.com/how-island-seychelles-became-haven-dirty-money-1595993
http://www.icij.org/offshore/sun-and-shadows-how-island-paradise-became-haven-dirty-money
Some quotes from article above:
“Eventually they made their way to the offices of Zen Offshore, one of dozens of firms on the islands that set up hard-to-trace “shell companies” for clients around the world.”
“The operative went on to explain how the pair could set up a company in Seychelles and hide the identity of who was really behind it by creating a labyrinthine ownership structure, putting “a company inside a company inside a company.” ”
“…in one of the world’s most remote offshore havens, a place that’s gained a reputation as a magnet for Arab princes, Chinese investors, pirates, fugitives, mercenaries, mobsters — and outlanders who want to hide their money or disguise their business activities.”
“Where there’s an odor of financial scandal, there’s often a good chance Seychelles is involved.”
“…Seychelles and other smaller hideaways are now becoming even bigger players in the offshore world as the U.S., the U.K. and other world powers have passed new laws and launched new multinational initiatives aimed at cracking down on cross-border tax dodging and money laundering.”
“…the “new havens” — independent states operating outside the Western political orbit. “We’re talking of Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and, increasingly, Mauritius and the Seychelles,” Grant says.”
(Did someone suggest that Malta should become the new Singapore of Dubai (UAE)?).
“In the latest report by the OECD’s global forum on tax information exchange, Seychelles was one of four jurisdictions that received “non-compliant” ratings. There was no assurance, the forum said, that Seychellois corporate service providers were documenting the real owners behind offshore companies set up on the islands.”
“Ricci was also accredited to Seychelles as a diplomat representing the Sovereign Order of the Coptic Catholic Knights of Malta. It turned out that the order had nothing to the do with the Vatican’s venerable Knights of Malta order of chivalry. Instead it was a commercial company based in New York City. Via this maneuver, Ricci snared a diplomatic passport and use of a diplomatic pouch, which allowed him to move documents around the world undetected.”
And there is more…
Also recommended:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAO035ivjUw