Malta Press Club wants a new chapter to be opened for journalism in Malta

The Council of The Malta Press Club (TMPC) on Friday welcomed with satisfaction the decision of the Malta Labour Party (MLP) Parliamentary Group and the MLP's National Executive not to leave any void in its participation in the media; not even on national broadcasting. The Press Club interprets this as an end to the boycott.

TMPC wants a new chapter to be opened in relations between the parties, media owners and journalists. This is to everyone's benefit: the consumer who wants to hear everyone's version of events and the parties themselves, which will be able to bring across its views freely.

The Malta Press Club believes that:

¤ this new chapter should be far wider and open than some people who have a limited, personal agenda think;

¤ the political parties, media owners as well as all journalists should play their part to the full; and

¤ this new chapter should provide an opportunity for journalists to recognise that a positive era is being initiated. This should be reciprocated and trust fostered in all sides so that in this way the people's trust can be strengthened in a democratic environment.

Boycott not the solution

The Malta Press Club reiterates that boycotts, although legitimate and acceptable, should not be resorted to as an easy solution, but only when all other avenues have been exhausted.

Now that a new avenue is being opened, TMPC revealed that in the past few months it was in contact and held meetings with the MLP so that the party's relations with all of the media would be normalised.

During these contacts and meetings, the Labour Party expressed the wish that journalists and media that are not of the same political belief be more just in their attitude to the MLP.

This is because TMPC believes that there are other legal remedies that can be resorted to if anyone feels that they are being discriminated against or if there is a lack of balance in their regard, and in this way they will take what is theirs by right.

Alternative measures

It is important for the public to know that, according to the Code of Journalism Ethics, approved by Maltese journalists, a person has the right to refuse to answer a question that is made, just like journalists have the right to ask questions of their choice.

Everyone has their agenda and so even the media and media owners have their own opinions.

While individuals have the right to disagree with this position, they should give their version or opinion as well and have access to communicate their message.

The MLP's gesture should not be the only one. Others need to carry more responsibility, including any government, all the political parties, all the media owners, every journalist, and the Broadcasting Authority. New practices also need to be introduced.

TMPC refers to the Press Act, which states that the Government is obliged not to discriminate against any medium and must reply to everyone.

It also maintained that the practice needs to be introduced in Malta that whatever applies to every Government applies equally - within the limits of what is possible and practicable - to every government in waiting, that is every Opposition.

Total distinction between columnists and journalists

The Malta Press Club also maintains that we need to start making a total distinction in Malta between columnists and journalists. The practice should be that columnists can say what they want in their columns, while being subject to the law and journalistic ethics.

Journalists, on the other hand, are bound by the principle that facts are sacred. Therefore, they should build their story on facts and not on comment or opinion.

Today some still confuse all of this without making this distinction.

Now that this new chapter is being opened, TMPC appeals to the:

¤ political parties to strengthen their ties with the media

firstly by ensuring the proper liaison with journalists and

secondly by informing journalists about whom they need to refer on the Party's position so as to avoid polemics caused by lack of communication;

¤ journalists to be more authentic in their attitude to and reporting of politicians so that even journalists can show that they want to be credible and all the Maltese will recognise this;

¤ media owners

1) to give the journalists they employ every opportunity to do their duty according to journalistic freedom, in the full respect of journalism ethics,

2) to show confidence in their journalism attributes and to give them every opportunity to show their capabilities, and

3) to give space also to beliefs that do not agree with their editorial policy;

¤ Broadcasting Authority to bear the responsibility given to it by the Constitution and the Laws of the country to guarantee that we will have free and truly democratic broadcasting; and

¤ Maltese public to stop their aggressive, personal attacks on journalists, both physical and moral.

If a journalist makes mistakes, those who feel they are victims have the legal right of reply, may take journalists to court or may forward a complaint to the Press Ethics Commission (PEC) if they are personally aggrieved.

Finally, TMPC associated itself with the opinions expressed on Tuesday by the President of Malta, Guido de Marco, that state broadcasting should be run in a way that every Maltese can feel comfortable to watch or listen and identify with because it is not owned by a political party. State broadcasting should be balanced in a way that all the opinions in the country are reflected in its coverage.

TMPC wishes that the day will come when these practices will be adopted by all the local Media.