Mistakes in Malta Eurovision show

by Benny Royston 102 views

The fist show of the public part of Malta's national selection process to select their 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entry has caused a minor uproar after it transpired that the wrong voting numbers were given during the show. The mistake came from an 'administrative error' at the telecommunications company, and a new voting window will be added at the beginning of this Saturday's show.

As a result of last weekend's problems, the show this Saturday will start at 20:50 CET and will have a 20 minute voting window at the beginning to allow viewers to vote for their favourite entry from week one. 30 second clips from each performance will be shown to remind the audience of the songs.

Grace Borg, Head of A.K.A.M. (Association for Maltese singer, composers and authors) and ousted former Maltese Head of Delegation at the Eurovision Song Contest immediately confirmed her outrage by explaining to escmalta.com that what happened last Saturday was "a blatant incompetence and the artists should not have to suffer the consequence". For that reason, she proposes that the show should be repeated or each artist could be added to the remaining shows. Others immediately pointed out that this would give last week's entries an unfaid advantage.

Ms. Borg had also publicly criticisedthe previous stage of the selection process, accused one of the international jury of having conflicting interests and has in the past threatened leagal action over song selection and results of former contests.

A spokesman for U.K.A.M. whilst not satisfied with these shortcomings, has stated that they are happy with the good will of Acelina and PBS, the production team and broadcaster responsible for the selection and Malta's Eurovision Song Contest entry. Both have been cleared of any blame in the voting problems and are seen to be doing their very best to solve the problems fairly and amicably.