Thursday, 5th November 2009 - 16:28CET
University explains why newspaper was banned - some material was 'adult' reading
The University this afternoon listed the reasons why the Rector had banned the newspaper Ir-Realtà from campus.
It said that the Rector was advised that the article entitled 'Li Tkisser Sewwi' published in the penultimate page may constitute a violation the Press Act and the Criminal Code. There was no indication on the front cover or on the page containing the article that the material was ‘adult' reading.
The publication, it said, was distributed within the University of Malta precinct which was used not only by students and staff but also members of the public and their children - especially on the weekends. It was also distributed at the gates of Junior College where the students are minors.
"Had the contents been made clear to the University authorities before it was distributed, the University would have had a chance to check out the legal implications and, if appropriate, could have also made arrangements for it to be made available in some other less generalised manner," the University said.
It pointed out that the Education Act laid down that the Rector should take necessary measures to ensure that the law is upheld within the premises of the University of Malta, which falls within his responsibility.
Seven previous issues of the newspaper, were circulated and distributed with no problem.
"Whilst encouraging freedom of expression, freedom of the press and safeguarding rights of journalists, as happens in every parliamentary democracy, the Rector is obliged to consider the legal aspects which may affect the University and to protect underage visitors to campus from writing which is definitely for adult consumption only," the University said.
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With the Rector's silly excuse...they cant broadcast an AO movie on TV...as some children can see it....one can't sell an AO book as they might read it....BUT IN MY 1ST YR AT Junior College (MSIDA), WE DID A POEM NAMED INCEST THAT WAS MORE VULGAR THAN THIS NEWSPAPER...AND YET ITS NOT BANNED OR CENSORED, AS IT WAS NOT WRITTEN BY A UNIVERSITY STUDENT!! and yet the archbishop is feeling that religion is being censored!!!!
You didn't even find a consensus to install a lousy condom machine with the blatant excuse that the University will not promote sex on campus, now one single article has once again caused havoc and controversy. To be honest this only shows that one thing is for certain, that a few people in the University are and will decide for every one else, now how democratic is that?
If the future professionals and leaders of the country are not capable to rebate and protest now I wonder what they will be doing in future, just now I am thinking of the crucifix issue in classrooms in another EU member state. What if EU passes a law and we would have to remove ours as well? Will we obey EU or will we disobey as our dear archbishop publicly said? Dear students, wake up, get together and protest for your own rights and don't let a few people drag your by the hair!
For heaven's sake. Drop it now. Please.
"There definitely are ulterior motives and other forces lurking underneath".
You're on to something here. Does the recent taking away of Moviment Graffitti's office at the same university ring a bell?
Will the internet at University be censored?
The rector considers legal action...."to protect underage visitors to campus from writing which is definitely for adult consumption only"....tell it to the marines.
I suggest that the University rector writes a letter to the editor of this paper airing his views, and lets all the students exercise their freedom of thought.
The rector was absolutely right.
PS I did not read the banned material...
What's more, unlike this newspaper, where one needs to read it to get the adult content, some magazines in newsagents' shops display explicit pictures on the front page of some magazines. I have yet to see a magazine banned just because children enter the shop where it is sold.
Now that this shameful episode has been exposed to the public, the Rector is seeking excuses.
When are we going to start distinguishing between the writer and the narrator ?
Glorified secondary school, anyone?
My mistake....make that a glorified primary!
If this is the type of writters that our university is delivering pull the handbrake now!!! We have a serious problem
It's not the quantity but the quality that counts.