Editorial

The foremost duty of any journalist is the compilation and dissemination of information in a reliable and timely manner meant to help members of society keep themselves abreast of what is going on around them and to make informed decisions. That is why the freedom of the press needs to be protected by all, but especially by journalists themselves and their employers.

Incidents involving the political press throughout this election campaign have rightly led many to question the behaviour of certain press representatives.

In their day-to-day work, journalists have a right to ask for interviews or ask questions. However, they must accept that others also have the right not to reply. Journalists worth their salt know just how far they should go when pressing for an answer.

In the wake of what happened during a Labour Party activity in Żebbuġ on Friday evening, it would not be amiss to recall what The Times said editorially on February 6.

Under the title Towards An Orderly Campaign, The Times noted that "there have been and will be instances where exponents of the media of the two parties are allowed to cross the demarcation line between inquistive journalism and mud slinging... Good conduct begins at home and the parties must lead by example. It is commendable that the general secretaries should take a common stand to ensure that activities held during the electoral campaign are carried out in the most orderly fashion as befitting a civil society, and that supporters are urged not to let their enthusiasm lead to any form of incident. But the parties have to be judged by what they do and how they behave rather than by what they say."

At Żebbuġ things got out of hand and both parties exposed themselves to criticism of either being weak in controlling their own people - at best, over-enthusiastic media representatives - or, God forbid, of them actually fomenting such potentially-explosive situations.

Judging by what was reported by The Times on Saturday, a crew from Net TV appears to have decided to mix with the crowd of MLP supporters to work on a vox pop when party leader Alfred Sant was still speaking. Some members of the crowd objected and the TV crew risked being manhandled were it not for the efficient and prompt action of MLP stewards who intervened and whisked the Net TV crew away.

At least one member of the MLP media team was also seen intervening to diffuse the situation and was even heard calling off a One News press representative who, however, ignored the appeal and behaved in a manner which, given the explosive situation, was anything but acceptable. Now, of course, there is nothing wrong with holding a vox pop, but basic courtesy would demand that, at least, one hears - if not listens to - what a person is saying. Likewise, it is basic courtesy - let alone camaraderie - for a journalist to try to assist a colleague in distress rather than expose him/her to more serious danger.

Press people indulging in such practices are playing with fire. And this not just in terms of exposing themselves to unnecessary danger but, more so, as they are contributing to the erosion of the credibility and respect the press corps should command and deserves. The same will be happening when press representatives of both big parties continuously appear to be treating the leader of the opposing party with disrespect if not outright disdain.

The general secretaries of the two main parties need to sit around a table, possibly together with the Malta Broadcasting Authority, the Institute of Maltese Journalists and the Journalists' Committee, to evaluate the situation and issue clear guidelines. This is a matter of urgency not just because serious journalism is being challenged but also because information is a commodity the people have a right to and, thus, is not a dispensable item that the political mammoths can use as they deem fit to suit their purpose.