The Institute for Maltese Journalists (IĠM) said on Wednesday that it is “disgusted” with the government’s position whereby it opposed an Opposition motion intended to strengthen the anti-SLAPP Legal Notice introduced last year.
The government shot down a PN motion to introduce amendments to a legal notice which implemented the EU’s anti-SLAPP directives – otherwise known as Daphne’s Law, named after Daphne Caruana Galizia.
“Unfortunately, this evening Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and other government exponents were not interested to speak about stronger protection for journalists. On the contrary, government exponents were more interested in speaking on increasing libel damages,” the IĠM said.
It noted that the government’s proposal was to promise more consultation – a pledge it has been making since October 2023 when it promised to publish a White Paper on reforms proposed by the Committee of Experts that had been set up by the government.
“Unfortunately, in its renewed commitment to hold public consultation, the government tonight gave no indication as to when the White Paper will be published. Government’s procrastination is no longer acceptable and it must proceed from empty words to facts,” IĠM said.
It noted that the aim of the PN’s amendments was to extend the protection from SLAPP cases to those that are instituted in Malta as the current Legal Notice affords protection only for cases instituted in foreign jurisdictions and are of a transnational nature.
The amendments also proposed higher dissuasive penalties that the court can impose on people who institute SLAPP cases.
“With regret, the IĠM stresses that tonight’s sitting was a lost opportunity to strengthen the anti-SLAPP Legal Notice.”
IĠM officials were present for Wednesday’s sitting.