Threats of violence on journalists are a direct attack on freedom of speech, Partit Demokratiku said in a statement.

Freedom of speech is is the very foundation of any democracy. It is a political right to communicate one’s opinion and ideas, PD said.

Unfortunately, since independence, Malta has been plagued by a political divide. We have two major media houses which are politically owned, partisan public broadcasting, and independent news agencies crippled by financial and political pressures.

The digital switch over has guaranteed immediate, free flow of pluralistic information but not without its drawbacks. It offers the potential for objective and diverse information which is important for a vibrant democracy as it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices. It erodes democracy when it is used to ridicule, incite, or harass.

The role of media as a fourth estate is equally important as it is a key accountable actor. It is this principle of freedom of expression that enables both media and civil society to hold government to account. Threats of violence on journalists, civil society groups, or even private citizens who dare to criticise the government are a direct attack on freedom of speech.

Partit Demokratiku said it stood for a representative democracy, where the rule of law is guaranteed, where social justice, good governance, and equity, with effective and truly independent institutions, work with integrity. PD said it will remain a watchdog.