OSCE media freedom representative presents legal review of Maltese Media and Defamation Bill to authorities

VIENNA, 27 November 2017 – On the occasion of today’s parliamentary debate on the Media and Defamation Bill in Malta, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir urged the Maltese authorities to improve the Bill and bring it in line with relevant international standards.

“I welcome several positive changes made to Malta’s Media and Defamation Bill, but at the same time, I encourage improvements in several fields,” Désir said.

The analysis, prepared by renowned independent media freedom expert Dr. Joan Barata Mir, welcomes certain new elements of the Bill, including the de-criminalization, for journalists and other media actors, of slander, libel or defamation.

“This goes in the direction my Office has asked for earlier this year. The expert’s analysis lists several recommendations to further align the Bill with international standards and OSCE commitments, including the need to further simplify and clarify definitions in order to improve legal certainty and to abandon excessive or duplicate registration burdens for media outlets,” Désir said.

“I trust that the legal review of my Office will be useful in the debate concerning the Bill, and that the subsequent law will properly protect freedom of expression and the rights of anyone carrying out journalistic work.”  

The analysis, which Désir shared with Minister of Justice Owen Bonnici last week, is the second one commissioned by the Office on the Bill. The full text of the review can be accessed here: https://www.osce.org/fom/358906.  

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media emphasized again in this context the need to improve the protection of journalistic work and the safety of journalists in Malta.

“I once again express my hope that the investigation of the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia will quickly bring tangible results and that those responsible for this terrible crime will soon face justice”, Désir said.  

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.