CONFIDENTIAL
MALTA
Report by British High Commission, Valletta
Right No.
Rating suggested
by Post
(i)
There is no imprisonment without trial.
0
(ii)
Torture is not used.
(iii)
Slavery does not exist.
0
(iv)
(v)
The Press is still independent, but the Malta Labour Party (MLP) Government are extremely sensitive to criticism and have several times threatened news- papers with court action or even closure.
Since the Government took over control of radio and television in 1975, broad- casting has become increasingly biased especially during the run-up to the 1976 General Election. In the past two years the Government have twice replaced the Chairman of the Malta Broadcasting Authority, the independent watchdog, following rulings by the Authority that did not please the Government.
Comment by Southern European Department.
Freedom of speech in Malta is still absolute, despite the Post's assessment of "5" - anyone can say what he likes, within reason, without fear. But the media are more and more controlled by the Government and, as a result, anti- Government material cannot often get on the radio for example. The Press, although under threat, remains reason- ably strong. Mr Mintoff is not known to tolerate excessive criticism - he is still flushed with success following his election victory but when this wears off and the economic situation gets worse (as it will) he will be less inclined to tolerate even minor criticism.
The judiciary is not free from govern- ment interference. After the 1976 General Election, the Opposition sought annulment of the result in one electoral district on the grounds of "corrupt practices". When the case appeared before the Consti- tutional Court the Government lost a
CONFIDENTIAL
5
/preliminary
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