The Front Against Censorship is calling for a reform in the censorship laws to be discussed in Parliament in a democratic manner that reflects present realities.

Former Culture Minister Dolores Cristina and the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Mario de Marco both said a reform on censorship laws was forthcoming, the grouping embracing 12 organisations said.

Criticising Parliament’s recent decision to strengthen the article in the Criminal Code that criminalises any kind of pornography, the Front said: “Strengthening censorship in Malta is anything but a sensible reform.”

The Opposition Leader had said his party’s vote in favour of strengthening the law in question had been a mistake, the Front said, and it was now expecting the Prime Minister to make a similar declaration. “This would be a signal that the government is genuinely committed to progressive reform,” it said.

It was shameful that the penalties contemplated for offences under the said article were increased without being debated in Parliament, it continued.

The Justice Ministry said the Bill introducing the amendments had been presented to the media and published in the Government Gazette in February. It was available for public scrutiny before it was unanimously approved by Parliament on June 15. Four months had passed since the Bill was published for debate and anyone who was interested could have easily contributed, the ministry noted, adding that the Front Against Censorship failed to do so.