Positive Discussions Held Between Justice Minister & Institute Of Maltese Journalists

Justice Minister Clifton Grima has described a meeting with the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) as “positive”, with discussions focusing on a number of issues linked to journalism and the media sector in Malta.

In a brief statement following the meeting, Grima said the two sides discussed several themes concerning journalism and the local media landscape, adding that he looks forward to further collaboration with the Institute.

The meeting comes at a time when media reform and the future regulation and protection of journalists remain firmly on the national agenda.

In September, Opposition and PN leader Alex Borg said he agreed with the idea of a warrant for journalists during a discussion on reforms linked to journalism.

The proposal was subsequently opposed by the IĠM, which argued that introducing warrants could make journalism less accessible and reduce the diversity of voices entering the profession. The Institute stressed that journalism should remain open to people from different academic and professional backgrounds.

Borg later clarified that he was not proposing a state-controlled licensing system, suggesting instead that any form of regulation would need to be independent of government and developed together with journalists. During a later meeting with the IĠM, he said the State should not decide who can practise journalism and called for reforms to be drawn up in consultation with the sector.

The wider media reform debate has also continued in recent days, with five international press freedom organisations writing to Prime Minister Robert Abela and Justice Minister Clifton Grima on 1st October calling for an open and transparent consultation process on the government’s planned media reforms.

Grima’s latest meeting with the IĠM therefore comes as both government and opposition continue discussions with journalists over how the sector should be protected and regulated going forward.

#MaltaDaily