Broadcasting code on the use of Maltese takes effect October 1

Broadcasters are being bound to use the Maltese language "correctly", under a legal notice published this month and coming into effect next October 1.

The legal notice, introducing conditions which seem to be far-reaching, creates the Broadcasting Code on the Correct Use of the Maltese Language on the Broadcasting Media, 2002.

Good practice of the language is to be encouraged by means of a special prize for the use of the language. According to a legal notice, number 133 of June 4, 2002, broadcasters must be "aware of their responsibilities in safeguarding the Maltese language".

"Especially" in the case of journalists, the legal notice says, these must keep abreast of written or spoken developments in the language.

Broadcasters must be conversant with other languages so that proper translations and adjustments can be made; they must assist persons taking part in a programme, and stop a participant who abuses the language, and be on the look out, especially in the case of educational, informative and children's programmes.

Under the code broadcasters must also ensure that the Maltese language used "is of a high level as to diction, semantics, grammar, syntax, morphology and content".

They must be aware of "all the aspects of the language so that the final result will be a unified one, well linked and comprehensible";

They must use "with all due care all neologisms which make way into the Maltese language and where this is possible according to the existing morphology of the Maltese language".

Broadcasters must also use Maltese words according to their roots "at least in those cases where such words do not sound to be excessively archaic".

And they must use words "which are clear and easy to understand".

Responsibility is laid on broadcasting stations. For instance, each station must "have its own consultant who is qualified in the Maltese language and who is well-informed in broadcasting. The said consultant is to be approved by the Broadcasting Authority following consultation with the Akkademja tal-Malti. The Broadcasting Authority shall also publish the name of such consultant in the Government Gazette".

Each station must follow the rules and directives issued by the akkademja where the use of the Maltese language is concerned. Stations are also responsible for the correct use of the language in every broadcast.

They must also "broadcast at least one programme in each schedule of programmes to advance in a proactive manner the Maltese language. The station shall inform the Authority of the date and time of such broadcast and shall forward to the Broadcasting Authority a beta tape of the transmission not later than seven days from the date of its transmission".

The legal notice also lays down on the Broadcasting Authority the responsibility of commissioning the Akkademja tal-Malti to prepare a handbook with all the main elements, including a glossary which is required to guide broadcasters.

"Moreover, the Authority shall commission the preparation of Guidelines as to the proper use of the Maltese language in programmes on subjects such as sports, sociology, economy and other specialised fields."

According to the code the authority is to prepare and publish reports from time to time on the situation of the Maltese language in the broadcasting media.