The debate on whether the media is independent, balanced or even-handed will be tackled in a discussion involving columnists and experts in the field.

Amid claims that print journalism is often openly partisan, public-service traditions demand balance.

All sides lay claim to the notion of the fourth estate’s services to democracy and truth seeking.

Public interest is defended by regulators and libertarians alike. But who decides what constitutes public interest?

Such questions will be debated in the Battle of Ideas being organised by the UK Institute of Ideas in collaboration with the University of Malta.

The speakers will be Claire Fox, director of the UK Institute of Ideas and panelist on BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze, columnists Fr Joe Borg, Mark-Anthony Falzon and Ranier Fsadni and journalist Raphael Vassallo.

It will be chaired by Angus Kennedy, the author of the recently published Being Cultured: In Defence of Discrimination.

The debate will be held on November 6 at 7pm at the Valletta Campus, Old University Building, Valletta. The public is invited to attend and take part. Entrance is free.

Booking by e-mailing iana.viacava@um.edu.mt is recommended.