Arts and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici is not mincing his words as the blowback over a religious pastor taking a number of comedians and artists in Malta to court continues to escalate.

Pointing towards freedom of speech reforms taken from 2013 onwards, including the removal of a controversial blasphemy law, Owen Bonnici told Lovin Malta that he and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri were taking stock of the situation and will “walk the talk” when it comes to ensuring Maltese law isn’t abused by certain individuals.

“Though we’ve undertaken radical reforms, the present day shows us there are still people, and I’m referring to Pastor Manché, who are trying to weaponise existing provisions which seek to protect society from misuse of electronic equipment and punish artists who, during a stand up comedy, express satirical comments… with Manché did not take lightly,” Bonnici told Lovin Malta.

After Lovin Malta had revealed comedian Dan Xuereb was the latest to face insult charges after calling the pastor Malta’s “biggest asshole” following a controversial religious sermon on anal sex, more and more voices are being raised against the current system.

Currently, any individual who feels they were threatened or insulted by another person can file a police report – upon which, the police will need to act, investigating the case and then following through on any charges, even having to argue those charges in court.

Many are not wondering if this system is too easily abused.

“Those provisions should not be weaponised to silence artistic expression,” Bonnici said clearly.

“If Manché believes what someone said is libellous, of course he is free to use civil libel, though even that must be used proportionally and after very thoughtful consideration.”

“But I can certainly never accept that artists who are performing productions, be brought in front of courts as if they were some criminals… that is completely unacceptable.”

Bonnici said he was now working with Camilleri to “ensure that this situation, where someone uses legal provisions against artists, is not repeated in future”.