The IĠM disagrees with the rules issued by the Nationalist Party Electoral Commission that regulate the relationship between the media and journalists, and prospective candidates in the party leader election.

While the IĠM understands the need for rules in a competition like this, it can never agree to rules that hinder journalists’ work or even try to impose restrictions on the types of questions that can be asked.

This is not just a contest that concerns only the registered members of the PN but a choice that concerns the public because the eventual leader will be the Leader of the Opposition and a prospective Prime Minister.

Journalists, including those working for the main party media outlets, have the duty to ask prospective candidates the necessary questions so that people can better understand Adrian Delia and Alex Borg what they believe in, what direction they intend to take the PN, what relationship they have with businessmen, with each other, and with other figures in civil society.

Therefore, the IĠM objects to the condition that journalists interviewing the two candidates cannot refer to the other candidate. The IĠM also objects to the fact that newsrooms may be excluded from conducting interviews if they do not comply with these rules.

The IĠM objects that access to independent journalists and others is being closed off once the actual race begins, with interventions only occurring on PN media.

The IĠM objects to any interference in how journalists do their work. The IĠM calls on the PN to change course on these rules and instead create a framework that encourages debate and free exchange of ideas by making it easier for journalists to do their work.

#MaltaDaily