Transport Malta blocks Momentum street banner on 'security' grounds
Momentum refers case to Ombudsman after learning of justification through FOI request
Transport Malta refused to grant Momentum a permit to set up a street banner without explanation, later saying no other political party has ever sought permission for street banners in the past five years.
Momentum only obtained that information - and a vague justification for the decision to refuse the banner permit - after it filed a Freedom of Information request.
The party was told that it was not allowed to erect the banner, which promoted an animal rights event, due to “security” concerns. The party had sought permission in September to attach the banner to railings on Triq Aldo Moro in Marsa.
Momentum subsequently filed an FOI request seeking information about permits Transport Malta issued for political street banners.
Transport Malta told the party in its FOI response that it had not received any other request for a street banner permit from a political party in the past five years.
In a statement on Saturday, Momentum said it has referred the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman, which has confirmed that it is investigating the issue.
Party member Matthew Agius said it was very concerning that their permit request was refused on vague “security grounds”.
“It is strange that we only found out about this when we requested the FOI, and despite presenting alternative sites,” he said. “We hope that the Ombudsman will help establish clear guidelines to create a fair and transparent system for political advertising in Malta. Currently, the government maintains absolute dominance over political campaigning on our roads, with numerous billboards displaying budget-related propaganda.”