The Nationalist Party on Thursday welcomed any initiative aimed at strengthening freedom of expression and the independence of the media in Malta. However, the public consultation launched by the Government raises serious concerns about the direction and genuine intentions of this reform.

Following a detailed analysis of the document issued by the Ministry for Justice, the PN condemned the Government's partisan approach to media reform. Instead of addressing in a serious and inclusive manner the structural issues that continue to weaken press freedom in Malta, the Government is presenting this initiative as its own achievement when, in truth, it should be a national and state-led process as recommended by the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Serious concern also arises from the lack of concrete proposals to ensure that public institutions such as PBS and the Broadcasting Authority are freed from direct government influence. Despite their crucial role in guaranteeing pluralism and impartiality, the Government's document fails to outline a clear direction or propose effective measures for genuine reform, the PN said.

Moreover, the proposals concerning media funding remain vague and undefined. The Partit Nazzjonalista expresses its concern that these could result in increased media dependence on the Government, without any guarantee of impartiality or transparency. This risks further undermining editorial independence and eroding public trust in the media as an independent watchdog of the public interest.

In contrast, the vision of the PN "is founded on the principle that the media must serve as a fundamental pillar of democracy - free from all forms of political control".

The PN said it believes in the need for strong legal protection for journalists, including safeguards against SLAPP lawsuits and intimidation, and calls for an institutional reform of PBS and the Broadcasting Authority, with appointments made by a two-thirds parliamentary majority. The PN also insists on full transparency in the allocation of public funds and state advertising, to be monitored by an independent body.

In this context, and following feedback gathered from consultations with key stakeholders, the PN is putting forward the following concrete proposals:

The full implementation of the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia;

The independent appointment of public media boards;

The introduction of legal mechanisms against abusive lawsuits targeting journalists; and

The mandatory publication of all financial agreements between the Government and media organisations.

The Partit Nazzjonalista reiterates that media reform must be a reform for the country, not for the Government. It must be based on the core values of truth, ethics, and freedom of expression, and fully aligned with the European Media Freedom Act.

The PN has today submitted its official feedback and comments as part of the ongoing consultation process on this reform and now looks forward to contributing to a serious, open, and inclusive legislative process.

The statement was signed by Graziella Attard Previ, Shadow Minister for Equality, Civil Liberties and Public Broadcasting.