MJA32 – Diskors mill-President tal-IĠM Matthew Xuereb
Eċċellenza President ta’ Malta, Myriam Spiteri Debono
Membri tal-ġurija,
Esteemed international members of the jury and our special guest Laurent Brihay, President of the Brussels Press Club
Rappresentanti tal-isponsors ta’ din is-serata
Kollegi u hbieb
Huwa ta’ unur kbir li llejla nilqagħkom ġewwa l-Palazz ta-Verdala biex flimkien, bħala komunita’ waħda, niċċelebraw il-ġurnaliżmu f’pajjizna, iżda fuq kollox biex niċċelebraw lilkom u nippremjaw l-aqwa xogħolijiet ġurnalistiċi matul dawn l-aħħar 18-il xahar.
Dawn l-unuri huma intiżi biex jagħrfu x-xogħol u l-ħiliet tal-ġurnalisti u fl-istess ħin jgħinu biex jogħla l-livell tal-ġurnaliżmu f’pajjiżna.
Din hija sena speċjali għall-Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin illi għadha kif għalqet 35 sena. Kien propju fl-1989 li twaqqfet dak li dak iż-żmien kienet il-Malta Press Club. Hija sena ukoll li ghall-ewwel darba fl-istorja tagħha, l-IĠM hadet f’idejha il-Presidenza tal-Federation of European Press Clubs.
Din is-sena l-IĠM tilħaq tragwardieħor fejn tkun uffiċċjalment reġistrata bħala union.
Dan għandu jgħolli l-livell tal-IĠM imma fuq kollox tagħtiha dak ir-rikonoxximent biex tkun tista’ sservi aktar bħala vuċi – l-unika vuċi – tal-korp ġurnalistiku u tal-media ġewwa pajjiżna. Minn hawn nirringrazzja lil-avukat tagħna Stefano Filletti u t-tim tiegħu li għenuna niġu konformi mal-liġi.
L-IĠM mhux se taqta qalbha milli tirsisti biex il-media tkun rikonoxxuta fil-Kostituzzjoni ta’ Malta bħala r-raba’ pilastru tad-demokrazija.
Eċċellenza, apprezzajna ferm li fl-ewwel diskors tieħek, inti sħaqt ukoll fuq dan il-bżonn.
Il-manifest elettorali tal-Partit Laburista tal-2022 wiegħed li l-ġurnaliżmu u l-media jkunu rikonoxxuti bħala r-raba’ pilastru tad-demokrazija imma issa wasal iż-żmien biex mill-kliem ngħaddu għall-fatti.
Ilna wisq nistennew biex il-gvern jiċċaqqlaq fuq din il-kwistjoni kif ilna nistennew iżjed minn sena biex il-gvern joħroġ White Paper b’liġijiet li aħna li konna fuq il-kumitat li qabbad il-gvern stress diġa lestejnilu. Verament ma nafux x’qed iżomm il-gvern milli jippubblika din il-White Paper għal konsultazzjoni iktar wiesa’ li mbagħad twassal għal qafas legali li joffri iktar protezzjoni lill-ġurnalisti u joħloq ambjent xieraq għall-ġurnaliżmu ħieles.
I will now switch to the English language for the benefit of the international members of the jury, my dear friends Juliane and Jaroslaw who immediately accepted my invitation to give an international perspective to the way we judge these awards.
From the judges’ report and from feedback I received so far, it seems this addition was well received as it gave a totally different viewpoint on the submitted work.
Apart from being recognised in the Constitution and blatant abuse of the Freedom of Information law, Malta’s media has other pressing issues that must be addressed as soon as possible. Newsrooms are shrinking and media houses are struggling to make ends meet.
If we want to keep this fourth pillar of democracy alive, we must find a way to give them the much-needed injection of funds, whether it’s through tax breaks, a more favourable tax regime or, as the IGM is suggesting, fairly distributing the funds that the State already spends on advertising in a way that everyone gets a stake, according to a pre-agreed formula.
We must continue resisting ideas by any bright spark for the reintroduction of criminal libel or any efforts to start regulating the media by issuing warrants, for example – both are nonsensical ideas that we’ve heard.
Over the past year, the IGM has been actively involved in discussions with the Media Ombudsmen of Belgium and Finland who are helping us set the ball rolling on the creation of a Media Council where self-regulation can continue in a formal manner. A report has been concluded and filed with the European Union last week. Early next year, the IGM will start discussions with journalists, editors and other stakeholders, including civil society, for this Media Council to become a reality.
Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues,
In a world that is increasingly driven by information, the role of journalism as a public good has never been more critical. Without journalism, we would be left in the dark, unable to hold power accountable or make informed choices.
However, today, journalism is under threat. We find ourselves at a crossroads, where the integrity of the media and the freedom of the press are being challenged on numerous fronts.
Misinformation, sensationalism, and clickbait have become pervasive, and it’s harder than ever to separate fact from fiction.
This constant battle for attention in an overcrowded digital landscape has, unfortunately, led to a decline in the quality of journalism. The urgency to be first often trumps the responsibility to be accurate. We must resist this.
The threats facing journalism go beyond the lack of resources. Journalists themselves are under attack — physically, emotionally, and professionally, where they face harassment or intimidation simply for doing their jobs. There is an alarming lack of respect for the profession, which is deeply troubling. Sadly, Malta is no exception.
Journalists are being branded as “enemies of the people,” accused of spreading fake news, and vilified by those in power by being accused of forming part of the infamous establishment, for example. This erodes the already declining trust that is essential to the relationship between the media and the public. When journalists are silenced, democracy itself is jeopardized.
The challenges are real, but they are not insurmountable. It is up to all of us to stand together behind the IGM and, in one voice, reaffirm the value of journalism.
We must fight for the integrity of the media by creating an environment where journalists can work free from fear of retribution. We must also work to restore the respect for journalists, ensuring their safety, and holding those who seek to undermine their work accountable.
The introduction of the anti-SLAPP directive, also known as Daphne’s law, goes a long way but it’s not enough.
Dear colleagues, your commitment to the truth, your courage in the face of adversity, and your dedication to the public good are what make journalism an indispensable pillar of our society. We owe you our gratitude, our respect, and our support. The IGM will always have your back.
This is why we are here today – to celebrate you!
Journalism is not just a profession; it is a public good. While it faces immense challenges, we must not allow it to be diminished. Together, we must protect journalism, invest in its future, and reaffirm its vital role for the country.
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A few thank yous before we start with the awards ceremony. Thank you to the judges who diligently went through all your submissions, despite the language barrier which they managed to overcome.
Thank you to our sponsors BOV, MIA, eCabs, Rocs Group and the CRPD without whom this event could not be held, and her excellency the President who offered this palace as the venue, including the reception that will follow. Always our great supporter.
Thank you to my council and to vice president Kurt Sansone and secretary general Nicole Meilak who helped with the organisation.
Thank you to Liam Mangion for the features on each award and last but not least my wife and children for their patience. The IGM has almost become my second full-time job.
Lastly, thank you all for participating in these awards. If you’re walking out with a trophy, well done but don’t slouch. If you didn’t make it this year, don’t give up. Instead, make the extra effort to be present next year with a winning story.
Thank you all and good luck to everyone!