Reforms to protect journalists must be drawn up with journalists

PN Leader Alex Borg meets a delegation from the Institute of Maltese Journalists aand stresses the need for political will from the Government to strengthen journalism

The changes needed to protect journalists must be developed with journalists. Politicians have the power to legislate, but they must first consult those concerned. Political will is then needed to turn that consultation into legislation.

Opposition and Partit Nazzjonalista Leader Alex Borg said this during a meeting with a delegation from the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), led by its President, Nicole Meilak.

The meeting covered the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia concerning journalism, as well as the legislative proposals prepared by the Partit Nazzjonalista to strengthen journalists’ protection. These include stronger constitutional protection for independent journalism and measures against abusive lawsuits intended to intimidate or silence journalists.

The Partit Nazzjonalista Leader said it was regrettable that the Government had once again shown a lack of political will to implement the recommendations when the Opposition tabled a motion for them to be discussed during an urgent parliamentary sitting. The Partit Nazzjonalista did not stop at the Government’s refusal. It prepared a bill building on those recommendations, which will be presented at the first parliamentary sitting allocated to the Opposition.

Alex Borg reiterated that the State must not decide who may practise journalism. Any framework for self-regulation must be led by the profession itself and remain independent of the government.

In this context, the possibility of establishing a Media Council was discussed, along with the sector’s economic challenges and forms of funding that would not threaten journalists’ independence and freedom.

“Our aim is for journalists to be better protected and freer to do their work, including asking difficult questions of those in power. That is why we must listen to journalists and build these reforms with them,” Alex Borg said.

For the meeting, Alex Borg was accompanied by Shadow Minister for Justice, Research and Innovation Joe Giglio and Shadow Minister for the Arts, Culture and National Heritage Justin Schembri, who is also responsible for broadcasting. The IĠM delegation was led by its President, Nicole Meilak, and included Institute of Maltese Journalists Council members Daniel Ellul, Emma Brownrigg Fenech and Juliana Zammit.

23.09.2026