Secrecy can sometimes be fatal. In 2000, three public works department employees died when they were overwhelmed by fatal gases while working in a cesspit in Cirkewwa.
It later transpired that the danger had long been known to the authorities. Files dating back to 1960 and 1977, documenting the specific health and safety requirements to prevent such tragedies, had been filed in the public works department archives, only to be forgotten. At the time of the tragedy, the then head of department had said he was not even aware of those files, as "no hand over" had taken place when he was placed in charge.
Not only were the files that could have saved three lives kept secret for decades, but even the departmental inquiry investigating their deaths, which established the existence of the files and that the gas monitoring equipment was "grossly outdated", was itself kept secret by the minister for public works for two years, in a bid to stop workers' relatives from suing for compensation.
The tragedy at Cirkewwa is but one of several instances which highlights the need for a long-overdue Freedom of Information Act. This is the subject of a conference organised by the Journalists Committee (Malta) for Monday 17 July.
Entitled "A Freedom of Information Act for Malta: time to act?", the conference will be of interest to journalists, legal professionals, policy-makers, academics and students, and NGOs
Tony Bunyan, award winning editor of civil liberties organisation Statewatch, and the general secretary of the International Federation of Journalists, Aidan White, will be the key speakers.
JC spokesperson Massimo Farrugia said the Committee believed in the right of citizens to direct and unfettered access to information held by all government departments, agencies and authorities.
"Since 2003, the introduction of the Data Protection Act, without an accompanying Freedom of Information Act, has only created an information lacuna when it comes to releasing information in the public interest. Indeed, the Church and political parties have been exempted from data protection obligations, allowing them to keep secret databases which, owned by other organisations, would be illegal.
"We believe Maltese democracy is at a stage that needs the introduction of a Freedom of Information Act."
"A Freedom of Information Act for Malta: time to act?" will be held on Monday, 17 July at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, at 8pm. Entrance is free. For further information, please contact Matthew Vella on 99425393 or email: [email protected].