“We want the media in our country to be indeed the fourth pillar of our democracy through this unprecedented reform that strengthens the rule of law” – Minister Jonathan Attard.
In a news conference in the Berga d’Aragona, the Minister for Justice Jonathan Attard presented three bills that deal with strengthening the protection and freedom of the media. In his address, Minister Attard claimed that through the three drafts, Maltese journalism will truly be recognized as the fourth pillar of Maltese democracy and the role of journalists and other professionals in the field. of the media will be given the highest certainty and protection by inclusion in the constitution of our country.
The Minister pointed out that the Government immediately after the recommendations of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Inquiry worked through a wide consultation in order to prepare these three drafts. This broad consultation took place both with the Institute of Maltese Journalists, with international organizations and even with the Caruana Galizia family. This while there were several public debates on this subject. It was then the Prime Minister Robert Abela himself who, back in January of this year, brought the drafts to the table of the Chamber which were then passed to the Committee of Experts. It was said that the Government will be implementing 87% of the recommendations of the Committee of Experts, most of them in full.
Minister Attard explained all the changes that will be made in a number of laws to give Mati journalism the highest protection it has ever had. He claimed that one draft of them will be establishing a committee to evaluate the risks and threats facing journalists, while another will be amending several laws and introducing anti-SLAPP provisions in Malta’s laws. “Through the introduction of anti-SLAPP provisions, Malta will be among the first member states of the European Union to legislate to protect journalists from abusive paralyzing,” claimed Minister Attard.
Other amendments in the Criminal Code will introduce the concept that if there is a crime against a person who is a media professional because they performed their functions, the penalty will increase. In the Media and Defamation Act, Court Registry fees will not be due by the journalist until the case is over, as well as in cases where the author dies while they are still the proceedings are ongoing, the Court does not enforce payment of damages from his family.
Minister Attard also said that the role of the Committee of Media Experts will now continue in its work as it should pass further recommendations on how the journalistic profession should regulate itself. The Minister for Justice concluded by pointing out that this reform will reach its peak when the Government’s proposals for the freedom of the media, its role as a public watchdog and the right to exercise journalism free be included in the Constitution. This is after the discussion in Parliament that the Government is expected to start in the coming time.
