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Journalists' representatives deplore MEPA attitude
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 4, 2008 - 6:36:37 PM
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In a joint statement published on Friday, the Journalists' Committee and the Institute of Maltese Journalists stated that they find the attitude of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority unacceptable in its indictment of colleagues during the MEPA board hearing of the Fort Cambridge development application.
The statement says that the journalists present in this meeting carried out their duty admirably in bringing to public attention a draft press release by the MEPA public relations officer, which had pre-empted Thursday's decision on the Fort
Cambridge project before an official public decision was taken.
This incident alone sows doubts on the transparency and integrity of the
MEPA board hearing and its new chairman, the statement said.
The Committee and the Institute find MEPA's accusations against a journalist
of "malicious actions" and of disrupting the meeting to be totally unacceptable and deplorable.
"According to journalists present, PRO Peter Gingell was not in a position
to describe how the document came into the journalists' hands because he
wasn't around at the time, as he admits himself when he says that he was
ushering people in at the time. Hence, the allegations of maliciousness are
even more irresponsible," spokespersons for the Committee and Institute,
said.
"His draft press release was chanced upon by a member of the press while
taking her seat and then shared with the rest of her colleagues. The PRO
must have been upset for having foiled his superiors since he demanded to be
given the photographs of the press release in question. Such an arrogant
demand by a public official is deplorable by any standard. Peter Gingell
should apologise for calling into question the integrity of the journalist,
who brought such this incident to public attention."
"Journalists have a vital role to play in public hearings because they
represent the wider public who cannot be present in person," IĠM chairman
Malcolm J. Naudi said. "What can be regarded as a failing on behalf of a
public authority must not be construed to be the fault of journalists who
were doing their job without fear or favour. They expect respect and a
mature treatment even in such a situation."
"The journalists present were right to bring to the public's attention this
dangerous exercise in subverting what should have been a transparent and
public hearing," Committee spokesperson Matthew Vella said.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Latest update:
Jul 6, 2008 - 9:53:09 AM CET
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