Government to present media literacy strategy and legislate against deepfakes

The government is drafting a media literacy strategy to be presented to cabinet aimed at raising awareness on consumer use of information and news media.

Speaking at the annual New Year reception with the media and constituted bodies at the Labour Party headquarters on Friday, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the government is working to penalise deepfakes through specific legislation to prevent digital tools, such as AI, from being used to cause harm or deceive people.

While highlighting the media’s “crucial” role as an “essential source” of information, Abela said journalism “stimulates critical thinking and there is scope for it to be strengthened so that, as a country, Malta keeps pace with the progress being achieved in the economic, social and cultural spheres”.

He pointed out that criticism should be “constructive, objective and well-researched, as credibility is built on how factual and consistent reporting is.”

The Labour leader also referred to a €1 million scheme which is being granted this year to the printed media to help offset paper costs.

Commenting on journalists who were killed on duty “beyond our shores”, Abela said the government is “looking at how it can continue to improve and protect the media and recognise the value of their work”.

He added that the media always keep politicians in check, “which is important because it ensures that more meaningful work is carried out for the benefit and in the interest of the people.”