Momentum vows to put an end to cabinet secrecy

Momentum has proposed introducing incentives to protect whistleblowers, journalists, and civil society, and to end secret cabinet discussions.

The centrist party shared three new election proposals in a statement on Sunday in the line-up for the upcoming general election that aim to protect those who report wrongdoing.

Momentum first pledged to introduce full legal immunity for whistleblowers, ensuring that people who expose corruption, misconduct, or abuse of power are protected rather than punished.

It also noted how Malta's anti-SLAPP laws are "inadequate" as they do not provide protection against domestic cases, but only overseas cases.

"Momentum will extend anti-SLAPP protections to domestic cases with higher penalties for those who pursue lawsuits designed to intimidate rather than to vindicate a genuine legal wrong," the statement read.

The party also flagged how there is a lack of transparency around how decisions are being made, as cabinet discussions are secret by default, including discussions that have nothing to do with national security.

Therefore, Momentum promised to put an end to this secrecy and make cabinet discussion public, unless a genuine, specific national security justification applies.

"A government that hides its reasoning is a government that cannot be properly challenged."

Prof. Pierre Schembri Wismayer, who is campaigning in the seventh and tenth districts, said: “A journalist who can be sued into silence is not a free journalist. A public servant who risks their job to report wrongdoing deserves protection, not prosecution. And a cabinet that keeps ordinary policy decisions hidden from the public it is supposed to serve has something to hide."

"These three proposals are about the same thing: accountability requires that people can see, speak, and report without fear," he added.

On Saturday, Momentum also pitched a sweeping anti-corruption overhaul.