Labour backs journalists on migrant centres access

The Labour Party spokesman for Justice and Home Affairs, Gavin Gulia, is backing the call by 100 journalists to be granted access to immigrants' detention centres.

"If I were (Home Affairs Minister) Tonio Borg, I would give journalists access to detention centres at all times and in all circumstances," Dr Gulia told The Times yesterday.

Dr Gulia said, however, he would impose a condition that upon requesting access, the medium concerned would send reporters who are "worth their salt". He explained this would "avoid the risk of getting sensational reportage on such a delicate matter".

Asked if his position implied that the government should have a say on which reporters are sent to report on detention centres, Dr Gulia said this was not his intention. "The issue is that whoever is sent must report faithfully and in a balanced manner," Dr Gulia said.

In any case, he said, it made no sense to close detention centres to the media once politicians who had asked to visit the centres had been allowed access.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo, the UNHCR's Michele Manca de Nissa and Dr Gulia himself have been granted access into detention centres.

"Where's the secret? I think there is really no point in refusing access to the media once we've spoken out," Dr Gulia said. He said he had tried to be as objective as possible in his judgement after visiting the centres, having spoken to the police and the soldiers and even eaten the food given to the immigrants.

Dr Gulia insisted the media should be granted access "rain or shine" and not in exceptional cases, as was Dr Borg's policy.

In a petition sent to Dr Borg on Wednesday, a copy of which was forwarded to Dr Gulia, the absolute majority of full-time journalists, editors and regular columnists called on the government to change its policy and give opportunities of access in the public interest.

Contacted yesterday, a spokesman for Dr Borg said the minister will comment on the petition in due course.

Moviment Graffitti is also supporting the petition, saying it was in the interest of the public to know the conditions of asylum seekers in the detention centres.

"Why is it that the government is refusing to allow the media to enter these centres? Is the government hiding something? Moviment Graffitti would like to remind the government that a healthy and democratic country would allow free access and speech to the media," the pressure group said.