In 1996, the Malta Labour Party won the election with an aggressive mudslinging and character assassination campaign that convinced the electorate to reject the Nationalist Party. This time round they tried to repeat the same tactics but they just failed for whisker. The fact that after Labour won the 1996 election, a leading lawyer contracted to investigate the cases found nothing wrong did not repair the damage done.

In my opinion there is something wrong with the system, which the government should give top priority to correct. It is unfair and unjust for people to have their reputation tarnished and their career destroyed just because of slander or defamation by capricious persons.

The remedial action of going to the courts (with its long delays) for redress does not serve as a deterrent and is often abused. It is too little and too late. First of all there is no reason why libel cases should take so long, and secondly fines inflicted do not serve as a deterrent. The present situation paves the way to abuse. The courts at their leisure may find a person innocent but the harm is irrevocably done. Is this fair? Is this justice?

My suggestion is that all libel cases should not take more than two months and the fines should be increased considerable to serve as a deterrent.

I sincerely hope that the new Justice Minister will right this archaic situation and update our laws to protect innocent persons from abuse.

Charles Camilleri

Paola