Independent journalism and the free exchange of information are essential for any democracy and the Prime Minister must stop undermining it, the NGO Repubblika said in a press statement.
“The assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia demonstrated that in Malta, independent journalism is under threat. The public inquiry found that the government is responsible for this threat. Any reforms that need to be implemented, which have been delayed, should aim to curb government threats rather than exacerbate them,” it said on Tuesday.
The NGO said that Prime Minister Robert Abela is confusing the concept of journalism as a "pillar of democracy" with a "government branch" in asserting that if journalism is recognised as such, it should be subject to "checks and balances" like the other pillars.
“No one is suggesting that independent journalism should become a branch of government. And no one is proposing constitutional changes that would mean new powers for journalism. Democracy has always required independent journalism.”
Repubblika said: “The comments made by the Prime Minister, seemingly intended to suggest hope for improvement in the President of Malta's speech, actually indicate a desire for more ‘regulation’, which is another word for increased government intrusion into independent journalism.”
Repubblika also made reference to President Myriam Spiteri Debono’s speech last week, where she said that "the media is the fourth pillar in the support of democracy." It continued that only constitutional change can recognise this fact. Independent media itself is a check and balance on government power, it said.
“What is needed, and what we don't have, is a constitutional guarantee that the government respects its democratic obligations and protects freedom of speech. What is needed are constitutional and legal restrictions that we did not have when a journalist was killed due to her work because of the government’s behaviour.”
Repibblika said that the reforms should be in line with the recommendations emerging from the public inquiry into the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia, which was published in July 2021.
“The government needs to be transparent and stop interfering with freedom of information. The government needs to curb the control it exercises over the public broadcaster. The government needs to end the discriminatory use of public funds in the media. The government needs to stop using its means, including government party means, to intimidate and threaten journalists. Parliament needs to enact legislation against SLAPP lawsuits, including those originating in Malta itself.”
The NGO also called for the banning of secrecy surrounding political party financing, the regularisation of relations between ministers and businessmen to ensure transparency, the regularisation of the lobbying process, and the accountability of public officials who abuse their powers.
“We need laws against the mafia,” it said.
“These are the recommendations of the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. These reforms have not yet been implemented because Robert Abela's government did not want to. And to this day, there has been no consultation on any of these reforms.”