New committee for Maltese journalists

A new Committee for Maltese Journalists will be campaigning for a Freedom of Information Act, a Whistleblower Act, an overhaul of the Press Act and libel laws, and plans to organise a national seminar on Freedom of Information this year:

A new organization is to be set up on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, by journalists from the majority of Maltese media organizations. The Journalists’ Committee is being formed to fight for journalists' rights and defend press freedoms. he Journalists' Committee is made up of working journalists, editors, freelance writers, and opinion makers who share the democratic ideals of the free press..

On a day to day basis, the Committee will be monitoring statements made by public figures concerning journalism and freedom of the press and about its members, new laws, regulations and decisions of government and public institutions that are of relevance to journalism, pending libel cases, court decisions and sentences.

"On this day, we join thousands of colleagues worldwide in honouring the sacrifices made for freedom of the press, and in reminding governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of _expression as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Committee spokesman Massimo Farrugia..