The Malta Press Club

P.O. Box 412, Valletta - Malta Tel: (356) 243212 Fax: (356) 249290

 

IL-FONDAZZJONI TUMAS FENECH

GHAL-EDUKAZZJONI

FIL-GURNALIZMU


 

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Speeches

Click here to download the speeches by Guy Black u Prof. Joe Friggieri at the sixth anniversary celebration of the Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu.


 

31st January 2002

FONDAZZJONI TUMAS FENECH GHALL-EDUKAZZJONI FIL-GURNALIZMU
CELEBRATES 2nd ANNIVERSARY

Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu has (yesterday evening) concluded its second year of activity with an anniversary ceremony. It was on 1st February 2000 that the Council of The Malta Press Club and the Board of Directors of Tumas Group announced that they had reached an agreement for the setting up of Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. The Foundation started functioning the following day, 2nd February 2000 - the first anniversary of Mr Tumas Fenech's demise.

During the ceremony, Foundation's Administrator Mr Mario Schiavone gave a resume' of the activities held. These included the organisation of three courses a more dynamic news media in Malta, newsroom management and financial journalism. These were conducted by Maltese and foreign lecturers and experienced journalists.

Mr Schiavone said the Foundation is striving to bridge the gap between experienced journalists on one hand and young graduates, beginners and contributing freelancers who lacked the practical expertise.

Mr Schiavone said that the Foundation sponsored and assisted The Malta Press Club in the organisation of the third Maltese Journalists Convention held at the New Dolmen Hotel, last November. Other events organised by the Foundation were public talks by experienced foreign journalists, workshops and two seminars on gender issues. The gender guidelines for news developed during these seminars will be discussed with respective editors in the coming months.

The Foundation has established links with various leading foreign institutions which have similar aims. These include the UK's National Council for the Training of Journalists and the European Journalism Centre at Maastricht.

Prof. Oliver FriggieriThe Board of Studies, consisting of Professor Salvu Chircop, Fr Joe Borg, Dr Natalino Fenech, Ms Carmen Sammut and chaired by Mr Carmel Bonello, will be meeting to discuss the programme of courses for the next academic year.

The Foundation's Administrator concluded by thanking the Board of Trustees for their cooperation and guidance. This Board is composed of President Emeritus, H.E. Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici is its Chairman, Mr Lino Spiteri, Mr Anthony DeBono, Mr Ray Sladden, Mr Malcolm J. Naudi and Mr Joe A. Vella.

During the ceremony, Professor Oliver Friggieri, delivered a paper on the need of a more ethical approach where the use of the Maltese language is concerned. He emphasised on the need that journalists preserve, maintain and develop a language which is understood by the people.

Prof. Robert A. WhiteProfessor Robert A. White from the Gregorian University in Rome dealt on "Public Journalism". He traced the origins of this concept and gave examples how public journalism could be put in practice. In his speech, Professor White put forward five proposals which could be considered by the commission drafting the new policy of The Malta Press Club where access of information to journalists is concerned.

Is-sur Tumas, as he was popularly known, was not only an enterprising man with great foresight, but above all, he was a kind hearted man and many members of the local press corps have vivid memories of his benevolence and kind-hearted generosity. He deserves to be remembered for many years to come for his entrepreneurial initiatives which, day-after-day, continue to contribute in a significant manner to the economic well-being of this country and its people. In this scenario, The Malta Press Club had put forward to Tumas Group the idea of setting up a Foundation in his honour which would serve as his living monument.


 

23.01.2002

JINHATAR AMMINISTRATUR TAL-FONDAZZJONI TUMAS FENECH
GHALL-EDUKAZZJONI FIL-GURNALIZMU

Mario Schiavone ghadu kemm inhatar ufficjalment bhala l-Amministratur tal-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. Huwa kien innominat mill-Kunsill ta' The Malta Press Club u approvat mill-Bord ta' Trustees tal-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu (FTFEG).

Schiavone dahal fil-gurnalizmu fl-1970. Huwa hadem bhala gurnalist ma' l-Istamperija Indipendenza fejn bil-mod il-mod tela' s-sellum tal-karriera gurnalistika sakemm fl-1990 sar editur ta' "The Democrat" u sena wara editur ta' In-Nazzjon.

Huwa segwa korsijiet fit-Thomson Foundation f'Cardiff u fl-Universita' ta' Malta u ghamel ukoll attachments ma' zewg gurnali Amerikani waqt tmien gimghat li ghamel fl-Istati Uniti fuq International Visitiors' Programme offrut mill-USIS. Aktar tard kiseb Diploma fil-Management mill-Universita' ta' Malta u bhalissa qed jaghmel kors biex jikseb MBA.
Mario Schiavone serva f'diversi karigi pubblici fosthom membru ta' l-Awtorita' Marittima ta' Malta, membru tal-Kummissjoni ghall-Moralita' Fiskali, membru fuq il-Bord Konsultattiv tal-MIC u Chairperson ta' li Students' Maintenance Grants Board. Ghallem fl-Universita' tat-Teielet Eta' u l-Akkademja ghall-Gustizzja Kriminali u ppubblika wkoll zewg kotba. Hu wkoll membru fl-Ezekuttiv ta' l-Assocjazzjoni tal-Gurnalisti Ewropej.

Bhalissa Schiavone qed jikkordina kors introduttorju dwar il-gurnalizmu finanzjarju li qed isir mill-Fondazzjoni bil-kollaborazzjoni tal-British Council. Kemm il-Borza ta' Malta kif ukoll il-Bank Centrali, il-Bank of Valletta u l-HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. qed jikkoperaw f'dan il-kors.
Sa ftit ilu, il-kariga ta' Amministratur kienet okkupata minn Carmen Sammut. Hija kellha thalli din il-kariga biex tmur Londra tkompli tistudja u taghmel ricerka halli tikseb dottorat fl-istudji tal-media.

Il-Fondazzjoni bdiet topera fit-2 ta' Frar 2000, li kien gheluq is-sena mill-mewt tas-sur Tumas Fenech. The Malta Press Club kien ppropona l-idea li, flimkien ma' Tumas Group, iwaqqaf Fondazzjoni li sservi bhala monument haj.

Fil-fatt, bhalissa il-FTFEG, taht it-tmexxija tal-President Emeritus, Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, ghaddejja bit-thejjijiet ghat-tieni anniversarju tal-Fondazzjoni.

Schiavone huwa responsabbli mill-attivita' amministrattiva li tal-Fondazzjoni. Ir-rwol tieghu huwa li jara li l-programm ufficcjali ta' korsijiet, seminars, konferenzi u attivitajiet ohra jkun implementat b' mod professjonali u prattiku.


 

18th October 2001

THE MALTA PRESS CLUB

IT-TIELET KONVENZJONI ANNWALI


"Il-Gurnalizmu Malti: Drittijiet u Dmirijiet"

Il-Hamis 18 ta' Ottubru 2001

New Dolmen Hotel, Qawra

Click here for a selection of abstracts of the main speeches


1 ta' Gunju 2001

SEMINAR DWAR IL-GENS F'GHAWDEX

Fi zmien sena ghandu jkun hemm rapprezentanza ahjar tal-mara fl-ahbarijiet. Taht l-umbrella tal-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu, iltaqghu Edituri u gurnalisti minn kmamar ta' l-ahbarijiet ewlenin, rapprezentanti ta' l-Awtorita' tax-Xandir, l-unions u The Malta Press Club, biex fasslu linji gwida li permezz taghhom, ghandhom jittiehdu passi pozittivi ghal dan il-ghan.

Ftehmu li jahdmu biex:

1) Inkun hemm rapprezentanza akbar ta' nisa fil-kontenut ta' l-ahbarijiet u l-programmi ta' diskussjoni;

2) Jsir reklutagg f'oqsma gurnalistici fejn jidher sewwa n-nuqqas tan-nisa, ez l-isport;

3) ghandna tigi adottata sistema ta' "mentoring' f'oqsma fejn m'hemmx role models femminili;

4) ghandna ssir emfasi fuq l-uzu ta' lingwagg mhux sessista;

5) kull kamra ta' l-ahbarijiet ghandha tahtar ufficcjalment persuna li servi/jservi ta' focal point fuq gender issues;

6) jinstabu fondi biex gurnalisti Maltin jigu mharrga biex isiru aktar konxji ta' kwistjonijiet ta' gender.

II-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu, flimkien ma' The Malta Press Club, ser jahdmu biex l-organizzazzonijiet ta' l-ahbarijiet iwettqu dawn is-suggerimenti bhala parti mill-isforzi li qed jaghmlu biex jintlahqu livelli gurnalistici oghla u bhala parti mill-process ta' professjonalita' gurnalistika.

Socjeta' demokratika hija socjeta' mibnija fuq il-liberta' gurnalistika - u ma jistax ikun li fid-dinja tal-gurnalizmu parti sostanzjali tas-socjeta' tibqa' invizibbli u muta. Dan is-seminar huwa kontinwazzjoni tax-xoghol li nbdena fil-15 ta' Marzu bi shab mal-Gender Advisory Group ta' l-Awtorita' tax-Xandir.

Dak inhar kienu tressqu papers minn tliet gurnalisti Maltin dwar issues ta' gender fl-istrutturi ta' l-ahbarijiet u fil-kontenut ta' l-ahbarijiet. Inghatajna stampa tas-sitwazzjoni kif inhi, stajna nqabbluha mas-sitwazzjoni fl-Irlanda bis-sahha ta' prezentazzjoni minn Vera Price. Kien hareg car li s-sitwazzjoni tan-nisa fil-gurnalizmu u fil-kontenut gurnalistiku baqghalha biex tkun dik li mixtieqa.

Imma dak inhar ittiehdet decizzjoni li ssir xi haga konkreta. Kien ghalhekk deciz li jsir dan is-seminar ta' jum li minnu jkunu jistghu li fih jinholqu linji ta' gwida prattici li jkunu jistghu jitwettqu mill-organizzazzjonijiet ta' l-ahbarijiet ewlenin. L-iskop tal-lum huwa li mhux biss li jkunu identifikati proposti konkreti izda wkoll li, sena wara li jkunu gew adottati, jitkejjel kemm kien is-success taghhom.

Wara introduzzjoni mill-Amministratur tal-Fondazzjoni, Carmen Sammut, Dr Josanne Cutajar tat harsa lejn ir-ricerka li saret sissa 'Malta f'dan il-qasam.

Wara, Brenda Murphy ghamlet ezercizzju li wera kif il-mara qed tintwera fuq il-mezzi tax-xandir f'diversi pajjjizi barranin, u mhux f'Malta biss. Dan ghen lill-partecipanti biex jirriflettu aktar u jdahhalhom aktar fl-ispirtu tas-suggett.

Dawn iz-zewg prezentazzjonijiet servew ta' sfond ghall-hidma fl-erbgha workshops. Dawn kellhom jittrattaw dawn l-erbgha aspetti:

L-iskop tal-workshops kien li jipproponu soluzzjonijiet prattici, realistici, u li ma jinvolvux spejjez ghad-diffikultajiet li jezistu. Il-partecpanti zammew quddiem ghajnejhom il-limitazzjonijiet li joperaw fihom l-organizzazzjonijiet u l-gurnalisti lokali.

Fuq kollox, kull workshop identifika tliet miri li l-organizzazzjonijiet tal-media jistghu jilhqu b'mod volontarju, minghajr pressjoni minn xi awtorita' jew korp iehor, sa sena ohra.

"Nixtiequ inkomplu nirresponsabbilizzaw lil dawk li jmexxu l-media biex jimpenjaw irwiehom u jwettqu s-suggerimenti li hargu minn dan is-seminar. Imbaghad nittama li nistabbilixxu sistema ta' awditjar fejn nistghu inkejjlu l-progress li naghmlu f'dan il-qasam," qalet Carmen Sammut.

Ic-Chairman tal-Bord ta' Studji, Carmel Bonello, qal li s-sena d-diehla ser jerga' jsir seminar bhal dan "biex nirrappurtaw dwar fejn wasalna - naraw liema kienu l-kisbiet; naraw fejn ma wasalniex, u nanalizzaw r-ragunijiet ghaliex. It-triq mhix facli, izda ghandna d-determinazzjoni li xi darba naslu."

Il-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu flimkien ma' The Malta Press Club jemmnu li aktar sensittivita' u impenn lejn issues ta' gender fl-ahbarijiet ghandhom iwasslu mhux biss biex il-gurnalizmu jgawdi aktar stima, izda anke biex l-organizzazzjonijiet tal-media, li ghandhom hafna poter u influwenza, jibdew ikunu promoturi ta' bidla socjali pozittiva f'pajjizna.


23rd May 2001

"SEMINARS IN NEWSROOM MANAGEMENT"

The Malta Hilton

Objectives: empowering editors, news administrators and news editors by helping them acquire further managerial skills.

In newsrooms, editors and news editors perform decision-making tasks and are expected to have several managerial skills. It is often observed that while people promoted to editorial positions are excellent journalists, they often do not have any management training. The aim of these seminars is to provide an essential management backdrop to those working at the top echelons of news organizations.

Participants: These seminars are mainly aimed at decision makers in news organizations, including newsroom administrators, editors and news editors. It is the first such courses to be held in Malta. Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu is establishing links with foreign organisations to hold follow-up courses in this field for those who take part in the upcoming seminars.

Deadline: Noontime on Friday 1 June 2001. As the number of participants is limited, applications will be processed on first come, first served basis.

Seminars: Seven sessions of circa 2 hours each, facilitated by 6 specialists in the management field. Breakfast will be offered to participants during the first 30 minutes.

Venue: The Malta Hilton

Certification: Participation Certificate.

Participants Fees: Lm 70 - for members of The Malta Press Club

Lm 85 - for non-member participants


Payment: Cheques to be made payable to Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu.

More info can be obtained from the Fondazzjoni administrator Ms Carmen Sammut tel: 412680/ 438666, mobile nos: 0944 6337 or fondazzjoni@tumas.com or click here for an application form. Click here for a cv of the participants.


10th April 2001

PRACTICAL WORKSHOP FOR JOURNALISTS AND ADVERTISING PRACTITIONERS

The American Center, in collaboration with the Malta Chapter of the International Advertising Association and Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu David Aplpefieldis organising a hands-on workshop entitled "More Dynamic News Media in Malta", between Monday 23 April and Thursday 26 April 2001. Mr David Applefield, an American working journalist, media consultant, and publisher based in Paris, will conduct the four workshop sessions with the objective to create effective synergies between content and commerce.

"It is essential to both the journalism and advertising professions that we do not confuse editorial and commerce. At the same time, it is equally essential that we coordinate the two to better serve readers, listeners and televiewers while increasing the financial stability and independence of our news media," said Fondazzjoni's Board of Studies Chairman, Mr Carmel Bonello. "The journalism sessions are mainly aimed at journalists who seriously believe in professionalism regardless of years of experience, while the advertising sessions are for practitioners determined to increase revenue for their publication."

For more details, journalists and advertising practitioners are kindly asked to forward their e-mail addresses to the Administrator of Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu, Ms Carmen Sammut on fondazzjoni@tumas.com The Foundation's main aims are to train and organise courses for journalists and others who would like to join the profession. Fondazzjoni was set up to serve as a living monument to the late Maltese entrepreneur, Mr Tumas Fenech, who was also a great benefactor.

Deadline: Applications are to be received by noontime on Thursday 19 April 2001. The workshop is open to a limited number of participants and entries will be processed on first come, first served basis.

For more details about Mr. Applefield and the scope of the workshop click here (Word 2000 Document)

For more details on the contents of the workshop and the application form click here (Word 2000 Document).


 

15th March 2001

FTFEG & MBA JOINTLY ORGANISE GENDER AND JOURNALISM SEMINAR
Gender and Journalism Seminar
Gender and journalism was the theme of a seminar for Maltese journalists organised jointly between Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu (FTFEG) and the Gender Advisory Group of the Broadcasting Authority. The aim of the seminar is to increase gender awareness among working journalists and to outline strategies and point out the challenges, which need to be addressed in the future.

The breakfast seminar, held today at The Halland Hotel, ta' l-Ibragg, included papers by three Maltese working journalists. Mr Laurence Grech, editor of The Sunday Times, asked whether there is an increased commitment towards equal opportunities in Maltese newsrooms. Ms Claudette Baldacchino, from One News, questioned whether reporters are able to raise gender awareness through news. Ms Annette Vella from In-Nazzjon referred to her experience with the supplement L-Opinjoni l-Ohra and discussed the promotion of an alternative news agenda.

The seminar featured Ms Vera Price, a media executive from Dublin, who talked about "Legislation & Gender Issues in Broadcasting".

The three papers presented by Mr. Grech, Ms. Baldacchino and Ms Vella, are available here.

 


Tumas Fenech

Tumas Fenech

 

1st February 2001

FONDAZZJONI TUMAS FENECH

GHALL-EDUKAZZJONI FIL-GURNALIZMU

CELEBRATES 1ST ANNIVERSARY


Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu has today concluded its first year of activity with an anniversary ceremony. It was on 1st February 2000 that the Council of The Malta Press Club and the Board of Directors of Tumas Group announced that they had reached an agreement for the setting up of Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. The Foundation started functioning the following day, 2nd February 2000 - the first anniversary of Mr Tumas Fenech's demise. The main guest at today's ceremony was Mrs Guza Fenech, the Foundation's Patron.

During today's ceremony, Foundation's Administrator Ms Carmen Sammut gave a resume' of the activities held. These included the organisation of four courses covering basic journalism, interviewing techniques, press photography, media and politics. These were conducted by Maltese and foreign lecturers and experienced journalists and spread over a three month period. As a direct result of the photojournalism course, press photographers within The Malta Press Club, in collaboration with its Council, are preparing a memorandum on the present state of press photography in Malta and how this can be improved.

Ms Sammut said that the editors and managements of the various newsrooms have fully cooperated with the Foundation, which is striving to bridge the gap between experienced journalists on one hand and young graduates, beginners and contributing freelancers who lacked the practical expertise.

Ms Sammut said that the Foundation sponsored and assisted The Malta Press Club in the organisation of the second Maltese Journalists Convention held at the New Dolmen Hotel, last November. The convention provided an interesting forum which discussed the state of journalism in Malta at the beginning of the new millennium. The Convention highlighted the need for a more professional approach and focused how this could be reached. "The Foundation is pleased that the Convention generated a healthy and positive debate which presented differing but valid viewpoints on varied subjects such as ethics, court reporting, and the management and development of newsrooms' resources. These will be tackled in further detail in the coming months by both the Foundation and the Council of The Malta Press Club," said Ms Sammut.

The Board of Studies, consisting of Professor Salvu Chircop, Fr Joe Borg, Dr Natalino Fenech, chaired by MrCarmel Bonello, is at present developing a course programme for the coming months. The Foundation is seeking ways of collaboration with the University of Malta in the field of journalism.

It is the Foundation's aim to cooperate with existing study programmes and other organisations such as the Malta Broadcasting Authority. One particular project has already been launched in collaboration with Akkademja tal-Malti with the aim to improve the proper use of Maltese language in journalism. "In a small country where resources are limited, the Foundation believes that there is a dire need for collaboration rather than fragmentation," said Ms Sammut.

The Foundation is also in the process of establishing links with various leading foreign institutions which have similar aims. These include the UK's National Council for the Training of Journalists and the European Journalism Centre at Maastricht.

The Foundation's Administrator concluded by thanking the Board of Trustees for their cooperation and guidance. This Board is composed of President Emeritus, H.E. Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici is its Chairman, Mr Lino Spiteri, Mr Anthony De Bono, Mr Ray Sladden, Mr Ray Bugeja and Mr Joe A. Vella.

During today's ceremony, former editor and long standing freelancer, Mr Frans Camillieri, delivered a paper on the need of a more ethical approach. Referring to the Malta Constitution, he said that the Maltese Press was given the freedom of expression not only to inform or to serve as a debate forum, but also to scrutinise all forces within the Maltese society. This includes scrutiny over the way official government power is executed at all levels. This highlights the fact that press freedom belongs to the people.

Mr Camilleri emphasised on the need that journalists preserve, maintain and develop the people's credibility in journalism. Unethical behaviour goes directly against this and decreases the role of journalism in a democratic society. "If there is not a public to be served, and if journalism does not serve any function, then journalism becomes an insipid institution.

Dr Brain McNair from the Film and Media Department of Stirling University in Scotland was the foreign guest at today's ceremony. His paper was entitled "The Relationship between Journalists' Professional Responsibility and the Effects of Journalism on Society". Dr McNair talked about the importance of journalistic professionalism in democratic societies, and the challenges to that professionalism which comes from the spheres of politics, economics and technology.

He discussed both the benefits and the potential threats to professionalism presented by the Internet and the changing business environment within which journalism operates. He will then argue for the importance of journalistic education in order to strengthen and protect professionalism in the twenty first century.

The highlight of today's ceremony was the presentation of participation and merit certificates by President Mifsud Bonnici to those who successfully concluded courses organised by the Foundation. In a short address, he emphasised on the dual role of the journalist as an educator and carrier of news. He elaborated on the necessary professional qualities required for these roles.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici highlighted the fortunate fact that Maltese journalists are not interested in intruding in the private lives of individuals as their counterparts unfortunately do in other countries with dire consequences to journalism. He emphasised however on the need of a "higher dose of journalistic curiosity" where services to the public are concerned.

"Our Fondazzjoni is committed towards the development of a professional body of knowledge about journalism in Malta," said Mr Carmel Bonello. "We are in the process of publishing a collection of papers delivered during the first two editions of the Convention of Maltese Journalists. Furthermore, Dr McNair will tomorrow evening (Friday 2nd Feb) be interviewed by Fr Joe Borg about politics, journalism and democracy at St James Cavalier. The general public is welcome to attend and also ask questions to Dr McNair."

Is-sur Tumas, as he was popularly known, was not only an enterprising man with great foresight, but above all, he was a kind hearted man and many members of the local press corps have vivid memories of his benevolence and kind-hearted generosity. He deserves to be remembered for many years to come for his entrepreneurial initiatives which, day-after-day, continue to contribute in a significant manner to the economic well-being of this country and its people. In this scenario, The Malta Press Club had put forward to Tumas Group the idea of setting up a Foundation in his honour which would serve as his living monument.

"This idea found the immediate and full support of the Board of Directors of Tumas Group. In this context, on behalf of our Council and members I would like to take this occasion to thank Mrs Guza Fenech and all her family for their prompt support during our initial year," said Mr Joe A. Vella, the Honorary Secretary of The Malta Press Club and Trustee Board Member.

Mr George Fenech, the Chairman of the Tumas Group, said: "We are very proud to have extended our patronage to this Foundation. We have always admired The Malta Press Club.

"Following the experience of the first 12 months, we are pleased with the results which our Fondazzjoni has achieved. Although still in its initial stages, through the unrelenting commitment of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Studies, and the Administrator, we are laying the foundations for brighter prospects for Maltese journalists.

We understand that journalism today plays a very important part in keeping society informed of the latest developments. Notwithstanding that we are a small country, our Fondazzjoni is proud in to be directly involved in various efforts and the promoter of significant initiatives to improve news media quality in Malta," concluded Mr Fenech.

 


 

"Il-Gurnalizmu Malti fis-sena 2000"

Carmel Bonello

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Last Update 3rd February 2001