Free Expression Group Wants Poet Sacked For Critical Comment About Malta’s Writing Industry

PEN Malta, a group that was set up to safeguard freedom of expression, is calling for a poet to lose her job at the National Book Council because of a critical comment she passed about the local literature scene.
Immanuel Mifsud, a writer and the president of PEN Malta, last night demanded the Book Council fire one of their employees, young poet Jasmine Bajada, after she wrote on Facebook that writers have to “whore themselves out” to succeed in the local industry.
View this post on Instagram
“The fact that Jasmine Bajada is employed by the National Book Council (KNK) renders her behaviour as extremely serious,” Mifsud said.

“Writers have traditionally viewed the KNK as the entity that represents them in some way and expected it to respond to their needs. The strong belief expressed by Jasmine Bajada, an employee of the same Council, should not only embarrass the KNK but expose her as an irresponsible person who isn’t suited for her position.”

Mifsud warned that the KNK’s apology was not enough and that Bajada should “shoulder responsibility, issue an apology and resign”.
“For as long as Ms Bajada remains in her position at the KNK, I will find it difficult to continue expressing my trust in this entity that should inspire trust in all writers, both those who were accused of prostitution and those who weren’t.”
After Mifsud published his statement, Lovin Malta asked PEN Malta whether their President was speaking in the group’s name.

“Our President was speaking for all of us,” PEN Malta secretary Manuel Delia responded. “We are discussing further action on the same lines.”
PEN Malta was set up in 2021 as the Maltese branch of PEN International, a global advocacy group for writers, journalists, translators and historians whose goals include the defence of free expression.
Cover photo: From left: PEN Malta secretary Manuel Delia, poet Jasmine Bajada, PEN Malta president Immanuel Mifsud
What do you make of PEN Malta’s response?