Freedom of the Press - Malta (2005)
| Publisher | Freedom House |
| Publication Date | 27 April 2005 |
| Cite as | Freedom House, Freedom of the Press - Malta (2005), 27 April 2005, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/47345177c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Status: Free
Legal Environment: 2
Political Influences: 7
Economic Pressures: 9
Total Score: 18
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 78
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (98 percent), other [including Muslim, Jewish, and Protestant] (2 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Maltese [mixed Arab, Norman, Spanish, Italian, and English]
Capital: Valletta
Section 41 of the constitution guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. Malta is a member of the Council of Europe, and Maltese media laws are based on European law. In July, the Broadcasting Authority fined an independent television station for broadcasting an interview with a European Parliament candidate whose statements allegedly incited racial hatred. Malta's newspapers and broadcast stations have strong political affiliations.
Not surprisingly, a survey by the Broadcasting Authority showed that Maltese audiences perceive local television and radio news as politically biased, frequently taking less notice of nonpolitical events. There are several newspapers and weeklies, available in both Maltese and English. The Maltese have access to Italian television and radio broadcasts, and nearly one third of Malta's citizens watch Italian networks. The government does not block Internet access.