First of all, let me just thank you all for visiting our website so frequently. Your support and feedback means so much for us. The Maltese branch of the OGAE International in Malta (OGAE MALTA) started way back in 1993 by Mr Nazzareno Micallef, our first club President. Following some years where this club switched to a 'dormant' role, I was approaced by the OGAE International Co-ordinator back in 2000 to do something for this club and get it back on track as an 'active' club....and so my work within the OGAE folds started.

OGAE, is the international fan club of the Eurovision Song Contest. It has branches in most European countries. The letters stand for Organisation générale des Amateurs de l'Eurovision, in Maltese - Organizazzjoni Generali Ammiraturi tal-Eurovision

Thanks to the members who formed the various committee teams of our club throughout the years, OGAE Malta moved forward slowly but steadily. The roots are well planted and so the tree could grow and fruit reaped. The launch of Ogae Malta's new concept back in April 2006 made an incredible impact on the local and foreign Eurovision fans who visit our website frequently. The launch was made up of several parts including:

a) the new logo
b) the new website - www.ogaemalta.com
c) the new set for our TV show Eurovision Fever
d) the teaming up with What's on Media? and Storm-Design
e) the activities on a national basis - Big Fun with OGAE Malta (April 06, Velo Lounge) and The Grand Eurovision Show (May 06, Tattingers Night club)

Support increased throughout the Eurovision month, May 2006 and for this I would like to thank you all personally.

Instead of co-operating with us for the benefit of Malta's image in the eyes of our foreign Eurovision competitors, a small group of persons decided to set obstacles on our way. Lately we experienced a series of shameful attacks on our team and on individual members. Personal attacks increased by the day. Our website remained neutral and clean. We always sought for a professional and independent service for all the fans and artists alike who were all visiting our website being the only one with the full backing of the International branch of the Eurovision clubs - OGAE International and of course the main producer of the Eurovision Song Contest event - EBU.

Lately we experienced another series of attacks, this time with defamatory claims. These attacks were never condemned by the other small group of persons. Instead they remarked that it was anyone's right to express himself freely on their website. However, when the attacks went to a defamatory level on more than one artist - these comments were all deleted and no apology was given to the persons who were shamefully attacked by a number of cowards, who act anonymously.

Ogae Malta believes in Freedom of Speech, however this should not be abused of. We believe in constructive criticism but definately we will not give our backing to anonymous people who use our comments section to spread defamatory claims and criticise in a negative and destructive way any other person.  Our club has always offered the hand of co-operation, however we need to be re-assured that we don't have to watch our backs continuously for more attacks and hypocritical attitudes as experienced in the last few weeks.

And that brings me to the conclusion of my first editorial. Hope you'll enjoy the launch of our NEW website - which from now onwards will be referred to as our web-portal - the very first Eurovision Webportal in Malta by Ogae Malta - the national and official Eurovision fanclub in Malta.

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