Journalists' Committee meets new press secretary

Journalists' Committee chairman Karl Schembri raised issues dealing with press freedom and other pressing problems faced by journalists at a meeting with the newly appointed press secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Josephine Vassallo.

The committee said that among the points discussed were its suggestion for a press council that would group journalists' representatives, associations and media owners in discussion and the government's press secretary.

Such a council would serve as a consultative body, especially in the light of the upcoming publication of a draft Freedom of Information legislation, where press representatives can be directly consulted over regulations and laws affecting journalism. "Equal access for all media, the principle of transparency, and better communication with the government are all in the interest of journalists and the public," Mr Schembri said.

He pointed out that journalists remain barred from access to closed detention centres, despite a petition signed by 100 journalists.

"Such a general ban on access to these detention centres leads to a misinformed debate over migration and asylum in Malta," he argued.

The Journalists' Committee welcomed the initiative by Ms Vassallo to meet journalists and to listen to concerns voiced by the media.