Gagging order on GU clinic head 'lifted'

A demonstration today intended to protest the gagging of Genitourinary Clinic head Philip Carabot turned into an announcement that the gag had been lifted.

The university group organising the protest, Ir-Realta, which produces a university newspaper, was informed by Dr Carabot that he would be able to grant them an interview after all.

The whole aim of yesterday's event was to protest against the fact that Dr Carabot had not been allowed to give an interview to the group and other media organisations which had requested it.

The story of Dr Carabot's media silence broke out last August. Following an interview with The Times, he was informed by health authorities that before communicating with the media he had to seek permission from his superiors. The reason, according to the Social Policy Ministry, was that the National Sexual Health Policy, in gestation for some seven years, was "still being developed internally".

Since then, Dr Carabot, who for years has been known for being very accessible to the media, has suddenly been unable to grant interviews.

Gathered outside the Health Division in Valletta were students and representatives from other youth organisations such as Moviment Graffiti, AD Youth, and Greenhouse.

Ir-Realta editor Mark Camilleri said "the ban has been lifted."

Dr Carabot, he said, had confirmed to him that he was now available for an interview on Wednesday following a story in The Times which highlighted the gag.

Ir-Realta, he added, "has no intention of meddling in political affairs, but from this case it is clear that bullying of government employees exists".