HSBC sponsors AIPCE Malta meeting

HSBC Bank Malta plc is the sponsor of a European conference being held in Malta by the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE). The conference, between Thursday and Sunday at the Fortina Hotel, Tigné, brings together representatives of national press councils from at least 18 mainly European countries to discuss various issues relating to the media, particularly with regard to self-regulation and independence.

The conference, organised by The Malta Press Club, is the fourth to be held annually by AIPCE in different member countries. Previous editions were held in London (1999), Bonn (2000) and Dublin (2001).

Malta will be represented by a delegation from the Press Ethics Commission, led by Chief Justice Emeritus Professor Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici.

HSBC's chief operating officer Tim Fitzpatrick presented the sponsorship to TMPC chairman Malcolm J. Naudi on Thursday. Also present were TMPC hon. secretary Joe A. Vella and conference co-ordinator Joe Mifsud.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "HSBC recognises the crucial importance of an independent media in the functioning of a democratic society and is therefore delighted to offer its support to this AIPCE conference, which will give journalists from across Europe and beyond the opportunity to discuss matters of common interest."

The Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe is a loose-knit group whose members believe in the application of self-regulation and independence from government both on a regional and national level.

AIPCE was formed so journalists from across Europe can co-operate through the exchange of views and information on a regular basis, but without the need for formal bureaucracy. A meeting is held every year to discuss matters of mutual interest.

"The Malta Press Club is a founder member of AIPCE and believes in the same principals of other organisations who are members of AIPCE," Mr Naudi said. "This means that the writing of codes of journalistic ethics and their administration is the business of journalists and publishers, not politicians and legislators.

"Thanks to the support from HSBC, TMPC will this year be able to host the annual meeting of AIPCE here in Malta and help us to continue in our common effort to protect the rights and freedoms of journalists throughout the continent."