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Journalists call for solidarity and more freedom
By MaltaMedia News
May 5, 2008 - 5:00:22 PM
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On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2008, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) has decided to focus on two important elements that impact on the media everywhere: the need for global solidarity to overcome threats to the media; and the need for greater press freedom.
IGM associates itself with the statement issued on this occasion by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), of which the IĠM is the Malta affiliate, which says that global battles for safety, decent work and quality journalism can only be won if journalists stand together in defence of their rights.
In that statement, the IFJ called for “a renewal of global solidarity among journalists to combat the threats facing media”, quoting its president, Jim Boumelha, as saying: “The future of journalism depends upon building fresh solidarity. Our work is at the heart of the struggle for democracy and human rights.”
The IFJ says the future of journalism will not be guaranteed by politically-inspired publicity stunts, or by dumbing down media and cutting editorial budgets.
In Europe, Arne Konig, who chairs the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), said: “World Press Freedom Day gives us an opportunity to showcase how quality journalism is vital for democracy and can only be achieved when journalists have access to decent working conditions and respect for their role.”
The EFJ says that pressure on journalists to reveal sources of information and residual political interference are key challenges facing journalists and media.
Konig goes on to say: “But we cannot ignore the impact of the economic crisis that has overtaken much of Europe’s media. Quality journalism is suffering as media owners impose devastating cuts in editorial budgets.”
In Malta, the American non-governmental organisation Freedom House has further downgraded press freedom in Malta this year, within the ‘Free’ category. Although the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, these rights are also restricted “under a variety of circumstances”.
“Malta is one of the few European Union countries not to have a Freedom of Information Act, which is why it is so important that this law should be enacted with urgency in this new legislature and we await the publication of the Bill in the Government Gazette,” IĠM Chairman Malcolm J. Naudi insisted.
The Freedom House report noted that the Broadcasting Authority “sued an independent television station for broadcasting material that could incite racial hatred”. Several journalists and photographers, including IĠM council member Julia Farrugia, were injured while covering a protest by hunters and trappers in Valletta last year. The attack was the latest of a series of threats and attacks against journalists covering public demonstrations and debates in Malta.
“We have just witnessed a general election campaign in which the media, including new media, played an important role, despite attempts by the main political parties to control the news agenda of the independent media to suit their partisan agendas at such a critical time for a democracy like Malta.
“Sometimes, these attempts were not so subtle, as in the muzzling of political coverage on web portal www.di-ve.com following Government complaints on its political coverage. We hope that such episodes do not repeat themselves in future,” Naudi said.
Despite the proliferation of media, rising standards and greater investment, it is vital for the media to remain in touch with the public and continue to fulfil its role to inform, educate and entertain.
Journalists in Malta need to continue to fight to improve their professional status and media owners must continue to invest to ensure that they not only have the latest equipment but that their staff, especially journalists, will commit to their jobs in the long term. “The nature of the job means that long hours are spent to provide the service readers, viewers and listeners have come to expect, but journalists’ wages should also reflect this,” Naudi insisted.
“At the same time, there should be greater accountability and more awareness of the high ethical standards journalists are meant to abide by to retain the trust that comes with their position in society, since greater press freedom also means greater responsibility,” the IĠM Chairman added.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Latest update:
May 7, 2008 - 11:23:39 PM CET
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