Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin

04/11/2024

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A quick reminder to all eligible journalists and editors that the deadline to submit your nominations for this years' Malta Journalism Awards is midday on Friday 8th November.

The submissions form can be found on our website. To read more on the rules and regulations, please refer to our press releases on the same website.

Reach out to any of the IĠM Council members if you're struggling with your application.

26/10/2024

The Malta Journalism Awards are back - but we're making changes.

📅 30th November 2024
📍 Verdala Palace, Buskett Gardens

What's changing?

🖊 Category overhaul: Instead of broad categories that split the various media forms, we are taking a thematic approach and introducing more specialised categories. This means print, television, radio and online will compete against each other in the same categories all throughout, unless specified. You can view the new categories here on our website.

1️⃣ Submission per journalist: We will be limiting the number of submissions to one piece of work from each journalist for each category. Journalists will still be able to make submissions in multiple categories.

🏆 One judging panel: Only one panel of judges will decide on every category in the awards list. We have taken this step to ensure that all categories are treated equally by the same group of people.

Visit our website to view the rules and regulations for submitting you work.

16/10/2024

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the brutal murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a journalist who paid the highest price for her work.

We are a long way from full justice. Apart from ensuring that everyone responsible for the murder is brought to justice, the systemic failures that allowed for Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder must be addressed. This can only start to be addressed when the recommendations of the public inquiry into her murder are fully implemented.

The seventh anniversary of her murder comes at a time when journalists and the right to freedom of expression are being weaponised. Earlier this year, sections of the press were directly attacked and unfairly accused of working for the so-called “Establishment”. More recently, influential Labour activists have suggested the return of criminal libel.

Meanwhile, a court order on discussing the Caruana Galizia murder means journalists and editors have to spend this anniversary in fear of court action in case any writings or declarations breach this order.

The moment we start to question our inalienable rights is the moment the clock starts turning backwards. When we dismiss these rights and responsibilities, we risk fostering a climate of impunity – the same climate that allowed for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

On this seventh anniversary, the IĠM urges the government to publish its long- promised White Paper with proposed reforms to strengthen freedom of expression and offer more protection to journalists. We also urge the government to implement all the recommendations from the public inquiry.

Ultimately, the IĠM urges that journalists be treated with more respect in their line of duty, and that freedom of expression be given the protection it deserves.

01/10/2024

🇲🇹 Stqarrija IĠM - L-IĠM jinnota b’dispjaċir li għas-seduta speċjali li nżammet illum fil-qorti biex timmarka l-bidu tas-Sena Forensi ma jitħallewx jidħlu l-fotografi u l-kamerapersons impjegati mal-midja. Tħallew jidħlu biss il-fotografi tad-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni, l-fotografu tal-Uffiċċju tal-Prim Ministru u l-fotografu tal-Uffiċċju tal-President.
Wara li talab spjegazzjoni mill-Aġenzija għas-Servizzi tal-Qrati għal dan l-aġir, l-IĠM kien infurmat li d-deċiżjoni ttieħdet mill-Prim Imħallef. L-IĠM ma ngħata l-ebda raġuni għal din id-deċiżjoni.
L-IĠM iħoss li dan l-aġir imur kontra l-ispirtu tal-Kostituzzjoni li tipproteġi d-dritt għal-libertà tal-espressjoni. Wara kollox, il-maġistrati u l-imħallfin mhumiex xi setta sigrieta u qatt m’għandhom iġibu ruħhom daqlikieku huma. Filwaqt li l-IĠM jifhem ċertu tħassib li jista’ jitqanqal meta l-uċuħ tal-ġudikatura jixxandru fil-mezzi tax-xandir dan qatt m’għandu jwassal biex l-istess ġudikatura taħdem b’mod mistur. Wara kollox, is-sistema ġudizzjarja tagħna hi waħda pubblika u hekk għandha tibqa’.
Fil-passat, it-tradizzjoni dejjem kienet li l-fotografi u l-kamerapersons jitħallew jidħlu u jieħdu r-ritratti u l-filmati ta’ din l-okkażjoni unika mmarkata mid-diskors tal-Prim Imħallef.
Sfortunatament, il-Prim Imħallef, din is-sena, għażel li jreġġa’ l-arloġġ lura.

Aqra l-istqarrija bl-Ingliż fil-kummenti isfel.

18/09/2024

📢 IĠM statement - Criminal libel (MT version below)

IĠM was, is and will remain against the notion of criminal libel. It is regrettable that singular exponents of the Labour Party have resuscitated the idea of reintroducing criminal libel after it was the Labour government that removed it from the statute books in 2018.

IĠM hopes that these singular voices are just that and are not representative of a wider push within the Labour Party to do a U-turn on criminal libel.

Criminal libel has a chilling effect on free speech and journalists because of the threat of imprisonment and has often been used in the past in a vexatious way by politicians and others to silence journalists. Malta should not return to such a state, and instead the country should be implementing reforms to offer journalists greater protection and to strengthen freedom of expression.

The IĠM expects an unequivocal declaration from the government that it does not intend to reintroduce criminal libel or increase penalties for civil libel. The clock should not be turned back.

📢 Stqarrija IĠM - Il-libell kriminali

L-IĠM kien, għadu u jibqa’ kontra l-libell kriminali. Hu ta’ dispjaċir li xi esponenti tal-Partit Laburista reġgħu rxuxtaw l-idea li jerġa’ jiddaħħal il-libell kriminali wara li kien il-gvern Laburista li neħħieh fl-2018.

L-IĠM jittama li dawn il-vuċijiet singulari huma biss waħdiet u ma jirrappreżentawx sforz akbar fil-Partit Laburista biex isseħħ U-turn fuq il-libell kriminali.

Il-libell kriminali għandu l-effett li jbeżża’ u jikkundizzjoni l-liberta tal-kelma u l-ġurnalisti minħabba t-theddida ta’ ħabs. Fil-passat intuża’ kemm-il darba b’mod vessattorju mill-politiċi u oħrajn biex jagħlqu ħalq il-ġurnalisti.

Malta m’għandiex tirrittorna għal dan l-istat, u minflok il-pajjiż għabdu jimplimenta riformi li jsaħħu l-protezzjoni tal-ġurnalisti u l-liberta tal-espressjoni.

L-IĠM jistenna dikjarazzjoni ċara mill-gvern li m’għandux intenzjoni li jerġa’ jdaħħal il-libell kriminali jew iżid il-penali tal-libell ċivili. L-arloġġ m’għandux jitreġġa lura.

06/09/2024

IGM assumes presidency of European Federation of Press Clubs

The Institute of Maltese Journalists has assumed presidency of the European Federation of Press Clubs (EFPC).

This is the first time in its 35-year history that the IGM is presiding over a European journalism body.

The official handover from the current presidency - the Galician International Press Centre - took place during the EFPC annual general meeting being hosted by the IGM in Malta.

During this event, the IGM took over presidency of the federation for a year. Present in Malta are representatives of 14 European press clubs.

The delegation paid a courtesy visit to President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono at San Anton Palace on Friday morning, during which the importance of journalism was discussed.

Malta was proposed as the next presidency seat during the last meeting in Santiago de Compostela in a show of support to the IGM in its work to improve press and media freedom in Malta the aftermath of the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

“It is a great honour that Malta was chosen as the seat of the EFPC. It is also a prestigious occasion for the IGM which is presiding over a European journalism body for the first time ever. It fills us with great determination to continue pushing for changes in the local media landscape and for more respect towards journalists and the profession,” said IGM and EFPC President Matthew Xuereb.

The EFPC annual general meeting was held at the newly inaugurated Drawing Room at Attard and Co’s head office in Marsa which boasts a collection of old Maltese newspapers dating to the beginning of the 1900s. The AGM was held with the support of and Attard and Co.

The EFPC was established in 1989 by the Press Club de France to foster dialogue, collaboration and experience exchange between press clubs and international journalism associations and defend media freedom.

30/08/2024

🚀 New Instagram launched

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new Instagram profile! Follow us for the latest IĠM updates.

🔗 www.instagram.com/igm.malta/

6 Followers, 5 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Institute of Maltese Journalists (.malta)

23/08/2024

📢 IĠM statement - Solidarity with court reporters

The IĠM notes with regret the comments passed by former minister Chris Cardona on his Facebook wall in which he accused court reporters of maliciously misrepresenting his court testimony.

The IĠM condemns Dr Cardona’s irresponsible comments on journalists who were doing their job. The news reports reflected his testimony and as a former politician he should know better than sounding the dog whistle to instigate hate against journalists.

The IĠM expresses solidarity with court reporters who have the unenviable job of informing people on what happens inside our courts.

22/08/2024

📢 IĠM statement - BA fine against Andrew Azzopardi/RTK103

The IĠM would like to express its solidarity with Andrew Azzopardi and RTK103 after being served another fine by the Broadcasting Authority for refusing to invite far-right politicians from Imperium Europa onto its radio station.

Moreover, the IĠM cannot agree with the BA’s nonsensical decision on the matter.

Media houses and programme presenters have every right to determine their editorial policy and should be allowed to practice their policy freely. The BA has no right to force a media house to air views it is completely against, with the subsequent risk of being fined for the content of those views.

It must also be noted that the secretary of the Authority’s board, Dr. Adriano Spiteri, refused to recuse himself from the proceedings, despite serving as Imperium Europa’s secretary-general until 2022. This casts doubt on the impartiality of the board and undermines the functions of the authority.

One must also remark on the moral obligation of the media to avoid fanning hate speech. Norman Lowell, who leads Imperium Europa, was convicted on racial hate crimes. Other members of the party have defended Na**sm and Hi**er.

Racism is not a political view and needs no protection from a state authority.

01/06/2024

📢 New IĠM council & change in statute

We are thrilled to announce the newly elected council of the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) for the upcoming term. The following members were elected during the Annual General Meeting held last week:

Matthew Xuereb (President)
Kurt Sansone (Vice-President)
Nicole Meilak (Secretary-General)
Kevin Schembri Orland
Sandro Micallef
Ana Tortell
Keane Cutajar
Sarah Carabott
Clara Sciberras

Other roles will be assigned to the individual council members at the next council meeting.

During the AGM, members also voted in favour of amending the IĠM statute to become a union. We will update our members on this process in due course.

15/05/2024

IGM AGM: May 24, 2024
Old University, Valletta

Anyone wishing to contest the election for the new council can email [email protected]

15/05/2024

The Institute of Maltese Journalists welcomes the conclusion reached by the Employment Commission on Wednesday which confirmed that journalist Norman Vella had suffered political discrimination when he was transferred from the state broadcaster in 2013.

While expressing its solidarity with Vella, the IGM urges all journalists to continue doing their job without fear and appeals to the authorities to ensure an enabling environment where the fourth pillar of democracy can work with utmost serenity and peace of mind.

07/05/2024

The IGM notes with concern the Prime Minister’s tone in the press conference held yesterday during which he accused some journalists and their media houses of working for the so-called Establishment, clearly implying they are enemies of the State and of the people.
The IGM condemns such comments, which are unacceptable in a democratic society.
At a time when the country is on the brink of an election and when a serious case that can have political ramifications will be dealt with by the courts soon, the Prime Minister should not instigate hate towards journalists and the media.
The IGM calls on the Prime Minister to moderate his language.
After all, journalists are just doing their duty when asking questions and holding the country's authorities, whoever they are, accountable for their actions.
The IGM expresses its full support and solidarity with journalists at this moment and urges them to continue with their work without fear or favour.

L-IĠM jinnota bi tħassib it-ton li uza l-Prim Ministru fil-konferenza stampa tal-bierah fejn akkuza lil xi ġurnalisti u l-kumpaniji tal-midja tagħhom li qed jaħdmu għal ‘l hekk imsejjah ‘Establishment’, implikazzjoni ċara li huma ghedewwa tal-Istat u tal-poplu.
L-IGM jikkundanna dawn il-kummenti, li huma inaċċettabbli f’soċjeta demokratika.
Fi zmien meta l-pajjiz jinsab lejlet elezzjoni u meta kaz serju li jista’ jkollu rammifikazzjonijiet politiċi se jibda fil-qrati dalwaqt, il-Prim Ministru m’għandux jinstiga ‘l mibegħda kontra l-gurnalisti u l-midja.
L-IĠM jitlob lill-Prim Ministru jimmodera l-lingwaġġ tiegħu. Wara kollox, il-ġurnalisti qed jagħmlu biss xogħolhom meta jistaqsu l-mistoqsijiet u jżommu l-awtoritajiet tal-pajjiz, huma min huma, kontabbli għal għemilhom.
L-IĠM joffri l-appogg kollu tiegħu u juri solidarjeta mal-ġurnalisti f’dan il-mument u jħeġġiġhom ikomplu jaħdmu mingħajr biża’ jew favur.

03/05/2024

World Press Freedom Day 2024:

IGM to government: stop procrastinating on laws to protect journalists

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Institute of Maltese Journalists calls on the government to wake up from its slumber and stop procrastinating on the effective implementation of laws to protect journalists which it has sat on for almost a year.

It has been so long that the promised white paper has almost turned yellow.

The updated laws must be one step towards tangibly creating an environment where journalists and media actors can continue carrying out their duty to serve democracy – something the country desperately needs.

The IGM finds it baffling how the government continued to delay issuing the White Paper following the recommendations made by its own committee of experts which aim to create stronger laws protecting journalists, especially from abusive legal action, also known as SLAPPS.

Recognising the media as the fourth pillar of democracy also seems to be something that will remain a dream, despite being one of the pledges included in the Labour Party’s electoral manifesto.

It was also mentioned in the first speech of President Myriam Spiteri Debono.

On this too, the IGM expects the government to stop procrastinating and recognise the media’s function as vital for a healthy democracy and entrench it in the enforceable parts of the country’s constitution.

The IGM also notes that all the other recommendations included in the inquiry on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia still need to be addressed and eventually implemented.

The IGM also calls on the government to address other issues that are seriously undermining the media in Malta. Primary among them is an inept Freedom of Information Act which is weak, severely abused by the public authorities and in dire need of a total overhaul.

Other issues include the considerable financial difficulties being faced by media outlets.

On its part, the IGM is working towards the establishment of a media council that would strengthen the current self-regulatory structure.

It is also in its very final stages to be officially enrolled as the first-ever journalists’ trade union in Malta, giving it and its members a stronger legal standing. An AGM at the end of this month will conclude this process.

On days like today, where the important role journalists play in healthy democracies is recognised, journalists must stand united in the face of adversity. In collaboration with civil society and democracy campaigners, the IGM will continue fighting for a stronger media landscape which will in turn lead to stronger journalism and a stronger democracy.

14/12/2023

The government has responded to a letter sent by The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) regarding French media reports about a clause in the European Media Freedom Act.

The IGM wrote to the government last Tuesday asking it to clarify its position after French reporting agency Disclose said a confidential memo indicated that Malta, France, Italy, Finland, Greece, Cyprus and Sweden are pushing to retain a clause authorising the surveillance of journalists in the name of national security.

The government, through the Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, has responded as follows:

“In light of the letter sent by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) to Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela, I want to emphasise our government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding journalists and their invaluable work.
The Maltese Government supports the proposed Regulation, aiming to establish a European Media Freedom Act in its current form. In particular, the regulation prohibits the use of spyware and intrusive surveillance software concerning journalists and their sources.
Government will continue to engage constructively in ongoing discussions regarding the application of the prohibition when there are overriding - founded and in accordance with National Law - National Security Concerns.
Infact the Proposal is still subject to inter-institutional negotiations after the European Council reached a common position in June 2023, building upon the work undertaken by the Swedish Presidency.
Presently, the Spanish Presidency is actively engaged in negotiations with the European Parliament, striving to find common ground and broker an agreement between the two institutions.”

In view of the letter by the government, the IGM council would like to reiterate that the retention of the clause as was reported in the French press would be unacceptable and highly disturbing.

While noting and welcoming the government’s statement that it has an ‘unwavering commitment to safeguarding journalists and their invaluable work’, it must be pointed out that supporting such a clause would be contradictory to that pledge.

The government must take a stand against the surveillance of journalists, especially since the national security law does not provide for the protection of journalists and their sources.

12/12/2023

The IGM council read with great concern the story published in the French media that Malta is one of seven EU countries that want to be able to spy on journalists under the guise of national security.

French reporting agency Disclose said a confidential memo indicated that Malta, France, Italy, Finland, Greece, Cyprus and Sweden are pushing for a new EU-wide media protection law – the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) - to retain a clause authorising the surveillance of journalists in the name of national security.

This position, if reflective of Malta’s true position, is highly disturbing, unacceptable and problematic on all grounds for the IGM.

The IGM therefore wrote to Prime Minister Robert Abela demanding the Maltese government’s official position on the matter.

The EMFA seeks to protect journalists and media institutions, including by prohibiting government surveillance on them, their families and employees. However, this clause allows states to spy on journalists in exceptional circumstances, which are not defined and which could lead to abuse.

We expect a response from the government at the earliest.

11/11/2023

The trilogue negotiations on the anti-SLAPP Directive are coming to a close.

IGM endorses the international call for the anti-SLAPP Directive to include crucial measures to counteract the growing problem of SLAPPs in the EU, including Malta:

🔸a strong early dismissal mechanism for all SLAPPs
🔸a broadly inclusive definition of cross-border cases
🔸clear provisions on compensation for damages for SLAPP defendants.

Read the full letter signed by 74 organisations, including the European Federation of Journalists:

74 civil society organisations have written to the European Commission, the European Parliament’s rapporteur, the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council and the Ministers of Justice of all EU Member States to reiterate their concerns regarding the trilogue process of the anti-SLAPP Directive. CASE u...

29/09/2023

During a meeting on Thursday, the Council of the Institute of Maltese Journalists resolved to publish in its entirety the report of the Committee of Media Experts on proposed changes to media laws unless the government tables it in Parliament on Monday, when it reconvenes after the summer recess.

It also resolved to back calls by editors, journalists, columnists, researchers and activists to open proposals to reform Maltese media laws to public consultation in the form of a White Paper.

The Council believes that it is only after the widest consultation exercise that Malta can have the best possible laws to protect journalism and journalists.

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F’laqgħa tal-Kunsill tal-Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin li saret nhar il-Ħamis, ġie deċiż li l-IĠM jippubblika ir-rapport kollu tal-Kumitat tal-Esperti dwar tibdiliet fil-liġijiet li jolqtu l-midja kemm-il darba il-gvern ma jagħmilx dan nhar it-Tnejn billi jpoġġi r-rapport fil-parlament meta jerġa’ jiltaqa’ wara l-waqfa tas-sajf.

Il-Kunsill iddeċieda wkoll li jappoġġja l-għajta tal-edituri, ġurnalisti, opinjonisti, riċerkaturi u attivist li l-proposti għar-riforma fil-liġijiet Maltin li jolqtu l-midja jinfetħu għall-konsultazzjoni pubblika f’forma ta’ White Paper.

Il-Kunsill jemmen li hu biss wara l-iktar konsultazzjoni wiesgħa possibbli li Malta jista’ jkollha l-aħjar liġijiet possibbli li jipproteġu l-ġurnaliżmu u l-ġurnalisti.