“Equal protection for whistle-blowers is a must. In Malta we have a situation where a whistle-blower that reveals matters that are deem favourable to the government is given contracts of work and made super rich but on the contrary a whistle-blower with information related to money laundering is intimidated and harassed.” MEP Francis Zammit Dimech made these remarks during a meeting of the Committee on Legal Affairs at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Zammit Dimech also referred to the case of Jonathan Ferris who wants to divulge important information but because he was not given protection as a whistle-blower, he was put in a situation whereby divulging information can expose him to imprisonment or serious fines. He remarked that whistle-blowers are crucial sources of information.

Zammit Dimech said that the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia was the extreme case of silencing a journalist but there were other cases where journalists were prevented from doing their work. Commenting on Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) Zammit Dimech said that this is also happening in Malta by Pilatus Bank and Henley and Partners who are threatening media houses to remove information form their portals. “As Europeans we need to defend journalists and protect them from such attacks as media freedom is one of our fundamental European values.” This has also been one of the issues raised by a delegation of MEPs from various political groups who visited Malta last December proposing legislation that would curtail these abusive practices.

Referring to judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, Zammit Dimech said that when journalists or whistle-blowers are not given due protection, this has a chilling effect not only on the sources/journalists but also on society as a whole as it loses a guaranteed level of information.

Zammit Dimech concluded by supporting statements made by colleague MEPs on the need of journalists to be responsible in their work and check their sources and on the need to tackle the growth of fake news.

Francis Zammit Dimech is also serving as EPP Group Rapporteur on Media Pluralism and media freedom in the European Union on the Committee responsible for media. Zammit Dimech also held a consultation meeting with journalists in Malta to obtain their feedback and reflect in his work their concerns and challenges.