The Nationalist Party is proposing that a Parliamentary Committee be set up to investigate, consult and make recommendations on the state of journalism and freedom of expression in Malta.

During a press conference on Monday morning, PN leader Bernard Grech invited Prime Minister Robert Abela to show his support for this cause and accept the proposal as a sign of commitment in favour of the protection of journalists and freedom of expression.

The Opposition leader said that the conclusions of the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry had recommended that the state needs to examine the state of journalism and the exercise of the fundamental right of freedom of expression in the country.

He said that his party was going to table this proposal in parliament six years after Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination, since "the government has done nothing", and the PN felt obliged to take action and try to implement what was suggested over two years ago.

In this light, Grech said that the Government has still not implemented any of the recommendations made by the public inquiry.

"It is in the interest of our country to look after the needs of our journalists - journalists are friends of the truth", said Grech. "We are hoping that Robert Abela does not waste this opportunity to accept having this conjoint committee".

The PN said that six years after the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, journalists are still not protected in Malta.

 

Grech described that this committee should have three members nominated by himself and three nominated by the Prime Minister, alongside the Speaker of the House and in his absence, the Deputy Speaker. Together, this committee must conclude their report within a span of three months from when the government publishes its White Paper regarding the media reform bills, according to the Nationalist Party's proposal. The PN and PL would also nominate three substitute members each.

The committee would be able to hear and receive opinions, suggestions and recommendations from civil society and the public in general, the party said.

During this announcement, Grech named the three people he already wishes to appoint to the committee are: the PN's spokesperson for justice Karol Aquilina, the PN's spokesperson for civil rights and social dialogue Claudette Buttigieg, as well as its spokesperson for national broadcasting, Graham Bencini.

The motion was tabled in Parliament later on Monday afternoon by Grech. In a statement, the PN said that Grech asked Parliament to discuss and approve the motion "for the true strengthening of journalism and freedom of expression. However the government refused to, today, discuss and approve the motion." It said the least the government had to do is show that it started seriously implementing the public inquiry's recommendations when it comes to the protection of journalists.

PL Whip Andy Ellul said in Parliament that Grech should have some respect for Parliament's procedures, noting that the government always allows seven days notice before putting forward an Act or motion - something not done by Grech in this case. Ellul said that Grech had no intention of coming to Parliament for a resolution, but rather he only wanted to cause a conflict by not following Parliament's procedures.