A Nationalist government would repeal the parts of the controversial Media and Defamation law that are harmful to journalism and freedom were it to pass in its current form, PN Deputy Leader Mario de Marco said today.

Addressing a press conference this afternoon, he said the Bill, which is up for public consultation, had led to unneeded controversy, particularly the requirement for websites to be registered. For a start, he said, the definition of a website was too vague.

Dr de Marco said the government was trying to regulate the online world in the same way as the newspaper world, when the two were completely different. Such laws, he said, were only used in countries like Russia, China and Bangladesh.

Yesterday, the government tried to justify the law, saying that some websites, such as those run by students or NGOs and personal blogs, could opt not to register. But the law did not make a distinction between what was optional and what was not, meaning that the choice was at the government’s discretion.

“It is totally unacceptable for the government to impose such restrictions on anyone using Facebook or some blog to comment about everyday life. We want to introduce more liberties, not restrictions,” Dr de Marco said.

He called on the government to immediately start debating a private member’s bill, presented by the Opposition more than two years ago, which introduces internet rights in the constitution. These are; the right to access to internet, the right to access to information, the right to liberty of dissemination of information and the right to informational self-determination.

“The Bill in its current form is unacceptable to us. We will fight to change it. If the government passes it in its current form we will repeal parts of it when in government. We will, in the meantime, not adhere to the registration requirement.”

Dr de Marco said he hoped that the government would at least listen to the experts and the public and fix the law.

PN MEP Therese Comodini Cachia said internet penetration reached 73% of Maltese people. “Instead of wasting its time, the government should have realised how the internet could help make it more transparent and accountable.  Instead of focusing on how to register people’s online doings, it should have seen how to increase internet use and sharing of news,” she said.  

“If Owen Bonnici and Evarist Bartolo really want to strengthen journalism and freedom of expression they should let what journalists write reach the public freely, without interference.” Dr Therese Comodini Cachia said the Bill clearly showed that the government had not understood how the digital world works. “This is antiquated and repressive thinking.”

The government, she said, claimed it was in favour of whistleblowing, but it was acting against the protection of sources. “According to this law the protection of sources excludes those who expose corruption.  It says sources should only be protected in case of editors and publishers and if scandals are exposed by journalists who are officially recognised as such. Does the government really want responsible journalism, or does it want government-responsibilised journalists?”

PN MP Clyde Puli said that after a government minster issue garnishee orders against a journalist, the government had now come up with a controversial new law that muzzled journalists. In a world where the traditional media was facing huge financial challenges it was wrong to increase penalties, adding to the pressure on journalists and publishing houses. “This Bill shows that the government is unprepared and, as usual, it is shooting from the hip. This is symptomatic of this government – coming up with bills and amending them after controversy erupts.”

Mr Puli said there was a wide chorus of voices speaking out against this law, including former MCA Chairperson Philip Micallef, who told The Malta Independent that it was one big step backwards.

“This law is incompatible with today’s society. We will present our proposals and fight to change it. If we don’t win this fight we will repeal the law, or at least the harmful parts, when we are in government,” Mr Puli said.