The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) has called on the government to “tangibly create an environment where journalists and media actors can continue carrying out their duty to serve democracy”.

In a statement marking the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the IĠM asked the government to create an enabling environment for journalism, with facts.

This day is marked around the world not only to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press but also to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights” is this year’s theme chosen by the United Nations expressing the idea that human rights cannot exist without the fundamental right of freedom of expression.

The institute is baffled at the government’s resistance “to recommendations by its own committee of experts to entrench the media in the enforceable parts of the country’s constitution”. 

The IĠM highlights the Freedom of Information Act as one of the main factors undermining journalism as it “is weak, abused by the public authorities and in dire need of a total overhaul”.

The reluctance by the government to part with information in the public interest needs to change as well.

Other issues include the considerable financial difficulties being faced by media outlets. The IĠM is looking at models used abroad and will be making its recommendations to the government in this regard.

“The IĠM is evolving into the first-ever journalists’ trade union in Malta, giving it and its members a strong legal standing.”

“It is in these trying times that journalists must stand united. It is together, along with civil society and democracy campaigners, that changes, however small they are, can be achieved. It is many of these small steps which will continue to transform the Maltese media landscape which in turn will result in stronger journalism and a stronger democracy.”

Malta has reached its lowest ebb on the Press Freedom Index published by RSF at 84, placing below Hungary but topping Greece.

What do you think about the state of the press in Malta?