MBR_ISSUE 54

MALTA
BUSINESS REVIEW
Malta Business Review
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Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t
mind, it doesn’t matter.
– Mark Twain
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Recently, Britain hosted a global conference on media freedom,
where the police threatened British journalists with possible criminal
action if they publish leaked government documents.
The move - which triggered outrage from members of the media and
senior politicians - is akin to something a Chinese, Turkish or Saudi
police force would do. Not one from a country that is supposed
to triumph democracy, a free press and free speech. In Malta,
journalists are also threatened with criminal action, at times even
if they report factual stories or cover cases of corruption or sleaze.
I am not saying the media is above the law and of course journalists should face
prosecution if they commit a crime. However, the ability to report on matters judged to
be in the public interest is a vital power and one that reinforces the right and freedom to
accurate information in a liberal and digital society. Inducing a veiled clampdown on press
freedom, through though unopposed legislation is certainly not the right approach and
manner, and is only one way to control freedom of speech, and gagging sources which
expose wrongdoing.
But it would send a dangerous chill through newsrooms if the police attempt to use
any adverse legislative measures to file charges against the journalist who received the
information and the newspaper or media that published it - having presumably deemed
publication to be in the public interest.
Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary and a champion of press freedom, wrote on Twitter
supporting the media even though publication of the Darroch memos “damaged UK/US
relations and cost a loyal ambassador his job”. He said: “I defend to the hilt the right of
the press to publish those leaks if they receive them and judge them to be in the public
interest: that is their job.”
Boris Johnson, a former journalist who is now the British Prime Minister, also rode in
behind the right to publish. “It is the duty of media organisations to bring new and
interesting facts into the public domain. That is what they are there for.”
But the right to a free press comes with responsibility, especially when information
is being used as a weapon by hostile foreign powers to harm other countries. It is a
delicate balancing act and perhaps the need for a free and unrestricted press should
reign supreme regardless. Therefore, any official curbing of media freedoms by the state
should be resisted.
Free, independent and pluralistic media based on freedom of information and expression
is a core element of any functioning democracy. Freedom of the media is in fact essential
for the protection of all other human rights. Instances of torture, discrimination,
corruption or misuse of power many times have come to light because of the work of
investigative journalists. Making the facts known to the public is often the first, essential
step to start redressing human rights violations and hold governments accountable.
Worrying signals of repression and violations of media freedom can be observed in a
number of European states. Different forms of control and pressure over the variety and
content of media hamper their independence and pluralism. Cases of journalists who are
deprived of their liberty because of their work continue to occur. Cases of harassment,
intimidation, violence - and even murder - have been documented.
There should be a wider discussion on this issue and a genuine consensus reached in
order support initiatives aimed at strengthening media professionalism and ethical
journalism and the establishment of self-regulatory mechanisms.
Wishing you a good read.
Martin Vella
Editor-in-Chief
Malta Business Review’s editorial opinions are decided by its Editor, and besides reflecting the Editor’s
opinion, are written to represent a fair and impartial representation of facts, events and provide a correct
analysis of local and international news.
Agents for:
www.maltabusinessreview.net
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