I think the problem here is linguistic.

Maltese doesn’t know ‘bad manners’ but only ‘nuqqas ta’ rispett’.

The reasons for that are socio-cultural.

But ‘nuqqas ta’ rispett’ does not translate as ‘lack of respect’.

The Maltese ‘rispett’ is linked to honour (in the Sicilian and New York gang concept), but in British English it is linked to integrity (respect for a person, not ‘behaving respectfully’) and has absolutely nothing to do with good manners or politeness.

I am routinely polite to people I do not respect, and equally, am sometimes rude to people I do respect, because they tend to be those closest to me.

Politeness and respect are distinct. It is possible to be polite to someone you don’t respect at all. It is also possible to be rude to someone you respect.

But your concern is misplaced. It is politicians who need a change of tune, particularly those in government. Cameron didn’t call that BBC report stupid just because her question to Xi Jinping was awkward for him.

Ok, politeness sounds right also but in my mind politeness and respect go hand in hand. I don’t equate respect with groveling.

The counterpoint is to behave like Ramona Attard.

It is possible to question a journalist incisively without being rude. That is not respect. That is simply civil behaviour.

And of course I agree on your case studies. Then they wonder why people believe there’s an inner circle of untouchables.

What you mean is that Maltese employees would rather do their job badly than step out of line by one inch and incur the boss’s wrath. You’re right.

I agree. Perhaps I explained myself poorly. I meant to imply that TVM is not independent and would, therefore, not “permit” its journalists to pose difficult questions to the Maltese PM.

The BBC is independent. It doesn’t permit or not permit questions.