P.O. Box 21, G.P.O. Marsa - Malta Tel: (+356) 2131 6958 Mob: (+356) 9945 0746
E-mail: joeavella@onvol.net
|
PRESS RELEASES
Press Release IGM'S POSITION ON BONDIPLUS COMPLAINT The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) received a complaint from Lou Bondi on Wednesday, December 20, about the decision by Public Broadcasting Services - Malta (PBS) to request that the subject of the December 19 edition of Bondiplus be changed. Mr Bondi submitted a detailed dossier with his version of events relating to Bondiplus's proposed subject of the edition: John Dalli's political case. He listed three previous occasions when Mr Dalli has appeared on Bondiplus: on January 4 and June 29, 2004, and on May 24, 2005. More recently, Mr Dalli has appeared on two other TV programmes: the October 9 edition of Passju on PBS; and the November 1 edition of Vi?i Versa on One TV. Mr Bondi said the Joe Zahra report is mentioned in both the May 24, 2005, edition of Bondiplus and the two more recent TV programmes, apart from the December 6 edition of Vici Versa. In no instance, Mr Bondi argues, did the Broadcasting Authority or the Courts take action against these programmes. Bondiplus first invited Mr Dalli to be the sole guest on a forthcoming programme on December 7. On December 11, Mr Bondi sent an e-mail to Simon Lumsden, head of Programmes at PBS, proposing that the December 19 edition of Bondiplus be changed and that "the John Dalli case" be the new subject. On the same day, Mr Dalli turned down Mr Bondi's invitation to appear on Bondiplus. Mr Bondi informed Mr Dalli that the programme would go ahead as planned. The directors of Where's Everybody?, producers of Bondiplus, confirmed this in a letter published in L-orizzont on December 13. Mr Lumsden informed Mr Bondi by e-mail on December 14 of the PBS Editorial Board's decision not to have the "John Dalli controversy as the subject of next Tuesday's programme" and that the "Dalli issue" would be discussed by the board the next day. Mr Bondi immediately registered his disagreement with Mr Lumsden, PBS Editorial Board chairman John Camilleri, PBS consultant Andrew Psaila and PBS CEO Albert Debono. Mr Lumsden informed Mr Bondi by e-mail on December 15 of the three reasons why the PBS Editorial Board decided to reject the subject of the programme: 1. the case relating to the programme would be sub judice. In a statement issued by Mr Camilleri on Wednesday, he explained that this was because Mr Zahra had appealed his Court sentence. On this the PBS Editorial Board had taken legal advice; 2. there was a conflict of interest with regard… to the broadcasting guidelines as outlined in Clause 5. This relates to the journalist's duty to respect the right to privacy of individuals involved in criminal trials; and 3. Mr Zahra was part of Where's Everybody? and the presenter relied on him to carry out certain investigative work. In his complaint to the IGM, Mr Bondi denied that Bondiplus was going to violate the sub judice rule and affirmed that it was not going to go beyond what was public. As to whether Where's Everybody? would be involved in a conflict of interest if Mr John Dalli were a subject of one of their programmes, Mr Bondi said Mr Zahra had "been out of the company (Where's Everybody?) for close to a year (in May 2005 when the third Bondiplus programme on which Mr Dalli was a guest was shown)". So Mr Bondi believes this is "incomprehensible". He added that this was the first time that PBS had decided "to ban a topic (for a programme) outright" in 15 years of his association with PBS and that the PBS Editorial Board "refused to even listen to a producer's plans for a programme before taking a decision". On his part, Mr Camilleri issued a statement on Wednesday (referred to above) because of "twisting of the truth" in the media. He wanted the public to judge who was in the know on the media. The decision on the Bondiplus programme was taken by the entire Editorial Board, Mr Camilleri added, and the facts were: 1. the case was sub judice; 2. Mr Bondi has a conflict of interest in this case and so "it is neither prudent nor wise to produce a programme like that proposed since now there is a court judgment. Apart from that, the association of (Mr) Zahra with the company Where's Everybody? did not help the journalistic credibility of the programme Bondiplus and, in the opinion of the Editorial Board, the less (Mr) Bondi deals with a subject that in one way or another involves (Mr) Zahra, the better." No amount of personal insults from Mr Bondi on any member of the Editorial Board, even if full of untruths, will not frighten, influence or distract the Editorial Board's attention from doing its duty, Mr Camilleri said. He ended his statement by pointing out that Where's Everybody? are "merely contractors paid by PBS and so are subject to the Editorial Board's direction because it was the Editorial Board not Where's Everybody? that was responsible for what was broadcast". The IGM made several attempts both today and yesterday to contact Mr Camilleri but, after leaving both messages and e-mails, it has had to go ahead with issuing a position without having had the benefit of asking him specific questions related to the case. However, on the basis of the facts it has in hand, the I?M Council has come to the following conclusions: 1. the subject chosen by Where's Everybody? for the December 19 edition of Bondiplus was a valid one because it is a case of national importance involving the resignation of a Government minister; 2. the fact that the subject of a programme refuses to appear on that programme - as is his right - should not lead to the cancellation of that programme; 3. the basic principle that should be followed is not to censor before publication or broadcast. On March 28, 2003, in the climax of the electoral campaign, the I?M insisted: "The right to freedom of expression and the right to receive information are inalienable rights… The Council of The Malta Press Club (now the I?M) does not agree that the journalistic content should be stopped or be examined before broadcast. On the other hand, it feels that whoever feels offended on what is published or broadcast should immediately take all the steps permitted by law to safeguard his rights and the journalists should face the consequences if found lacking"; 4. the IGM has taken legal advice to the effect that it is the duty of journalists to bring to public attention elements of sub judice cases that are of national importance and public interest, and this holds true not just in Malta but at the European level. A discussion can take place on live television, and in the media generally, without in any way influencing the court process; 5. PBS, as the main state broadcasting station, should ensure that any programme on such an issue of national importance should be presented by someone with no links with the case if it wants to maintain its credibility and fulfil its national role. It may have to consider carrying this particular subject in another programme because of its national importance. Mr Bondi cannot deny that Mr Zahra has had links with his company and any allegations of conflict of interest that Mr Bondi may level against Mr Camilleri do not minimise Mr Bondi's own situation; and 6. Ultimately, according to the verbal contract Where's Everybody? has with PBS for the production and broadcast of Bondiplus for the nine months between October, 2006, and June, 2007, each programme proposal has to be subject to approval by the PBS Editorial Board. The contract the I?M was shown lists "reasonable objection" as a valid way to have the topic of a programme changed; that the PBS Editorial Board will not "unreasonably withhold" its approval for any programme topic; and any "reasonable grounds" should be specified in writing. These clauses in the contract appear to have been followed. Yet it would have been in the public interest and also in PBS's interest had it continued as it has done in the past and come to some form of agreement with Mr Bondi for the programme to have been broadcast with all the safeguards in place. Should Mr Bondi feel that he or Where's Everybody?'s rights to freedom of expression have been trampled upon by PBS, he can have recourse to the courts and institute proceedings for this breech.
Stqarrija ghall-Istampa ILMENT MILL-UFFICCJU TAL-PRIM MINISTRU Il-bierah filghaxija, l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) ircieva ilment minghand Josephine Vassallo, Segretarja tal-Kommunikazzjoni u Stampa fl-Ufficcju tal-Prim Ministru, dwar imgieba tal-Gurnalist Charlon Gouder ta' One News. Fl-ittra taghha Ms Vassallo qalet li, waqt zjara ufficcjali li l-Prim Ministru ghamel filghodu ghand kumpanija privata, is-Sur Gouder baqa' jsegwi lill-Prim Ministru, li flimkien mal-Kap tal-Kumpanija, kien miexi lejn il-lift. Il-Prim Ministru stieden lis-Sur Gouder sabiex jibghatlu l-mistoqsijiet bil-miktub halli jkun jista jwiegbu bil-miktub. Il-kap tal-kumpanija kellu jintervjeni sabiex il-Gurnalist u l-cameraman iwarrbu halli huwa jkun jista jkompli jakkumpanja lill-Prim Ministru. Ms Vassallo qalet li filwaqt li l-Ufficcju tal-Prim Ministru jirrikonoxxi d-drittijiet ta' l-istampa, iqis li nuqqas ta' mgieba tajba u maledukata m'ghandu jigi accettat qatt. Is-Sur Gouder qal li din kienet il-hames darba li Gurnalisti ta' One News ipprovaw jiehdu kumment minghand il-Prim Ministru fuq l-allegat skandlu tat-tindif fil-qorti. F'zewg okkazjonijiet talab lil Ms Vassallo biex jiehu kumment ta' zewg minuti minghand il-Prim Ministru. Is-Sur Gouder qal li il-bierah stenna sa kemm l-avveniment spicca qabel ma pprova jiehu l-opinjoni tal-Prim Ministru fuq il-ka?. Il-Prim Ministru kien ukoll mitlub li jaghti intervista fuq is-suGGett fl-ufficcju tieghu il-bierah wara li l-Kap ta' l-Oppozizzjoni ghamel il-konferenza ta' l-ahbarijiet tieghu fuq il-kaz, izda din it-talba ma Gietx milqugha. L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin hu tal-fehma li, filwaqt li Gurnalist hu fid-dover li jfittex li jkollu tweGibiet ghal domandi leGittimi, min-naha tieghu il-politiku, bhal ma rajna f'intervisti recenti mal-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni Dr Alfred Sant u mad-Deputat Mexxej tal-Malta Labour Party Dr Michael Falzon, li Gew mistoqsija fuq affarijiet interni tal-partit, jekk dawn ihossu li m'ghandhomx jitkellmu mal-medja, dan hu d-dritt taghhom, i?da l-medja ghandha d-dritt tikkummenta dwar dan. Waqt li l-politiku ghandu kemm jista' jkun iwieGeb ghad-domandi dwar informazzjoni leGittima, il-Gurnalist ghandu wkoll juri prudenza u rispett lejn l-ufficcju u l-kariga ta' min jista' jaghti l-informazzjoni. L-IGM ihoss li wasal ukoll iz-zmien biex il-Kodici
ta' Prattika li qieghed jigi mfassal mill-Ufficcju tal-Prim
Ministru f'konsultazzjoni mal-ghaqdiet tal-Gurnalisti jitnieda
mill-aktar fis possibbli biex kullhadd ikun jaf x'inhuma d-doveri
u r-responsabbiltajiet tieghu biex incidenti bhal dak li fuqu
sar l-ilment ikunu evitati.
7 November 2006 THE WINNERS OF THE 16TH EDITION OF THE MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the foundation, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (I?M) held the presentation ceremony of the 16th edition of the Malta Journalism Awards. From among the 55 submissions in the preliminary phase, 27 journalists reached the finalists' phase. The jury composed of Dr Anna Mallia and Charles Xuereb as members, and Professor Godfrey A. Pirotta as Chairman chose the winners for these categories: Print Journalism - News Print Journalism - Features Press Photography Overseas Assignments (new category)
Broadcast Journalism - TV Film Cultural Tourism E-Journalism Sports Journalism Category L-Ilsien Malti fil-Gurnalizmu This is the 16th consecutive year that this annual competition is being organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists. This year the ceremony took place at the Audiovision Centre studios in Hamrun and will be transmitted on Melita Cable on Friday 10th November at 9pm. The Jury also prepared a detailed report about the submissions and their journalistic level, which was read before the presentation of the awards. During the same ceremony the winner of the Gold Award was announced as well. The Gold Award is given to the nominated person who the Jury deems to have gone beyond the requirements of normal journalistic practice during his or her career. The Jury of the Gold Award was made up of Mr John Manduca, Mr Frank Bonello, and His Excellency the President Emeritus Prof Guido De Marco as Chairman. The Gold Award this year was given to Mr Paul Saliba. In the past eight editions that were held till
now this award was won by Fr Joe Borg (1998), Mr Anton Cassar
(1999), Mr Frank Attard (2000), Mr J.G. Vassallo (2001) and
Mr Anthony Montanaro (2002), Mr John Manduca (2003), Mr Charles
Grech Orr (2004) and Mr Paul Carachi (2005).
2 ta' Novembru 2006 GURNALIST IEHOR IMFIXKEL MILLI JAQDI DMIRIJIETU MILL-AWTORITAJIET B'xorti hazina, l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) jinnota li kien hemm kaz iehor fejn gurnalist gie mfixkel waqt il-qadi ta' dmirijietu. Il-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut ircieva ilment minghand gurnalista membru tieghu, Brandon Pisani ta' l-orizzont, fejn huwa qal li gie intimidat minn zewg spetturi tad-Dipartiment ta' l-Artijiet waqt li kien qed jirraporta storja dwar l-izgumbrament ta' mahzen fis-sur tal-Furjana ilbierah filghodu. Skond is-Sur Pisani, dawn l-ispetturi uzaw ton ta' theddid fil-konfront tieghu u tal-fotografu li kien qed jakkumpanjah, hadulu d-dettalji personali tieghu u ordanwalu biex ma jinGibdux ritratti minkejja li kien post pubbliku. Il-Kunsill ipprova jiehu l-verzjoni tad-Dipartiment ta' l-Artijiet, izda hadd ma ried jiehu r-responsabbilita' ghal dak li gara. "Il-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti
Maltin itenni li l-awtoritajiet m'ghandhomx ifixklu lill-gurnalisti
milli jaqdu dmirhom f'socjeta' demokratika," stqarr ic-Chairman
Malcolm J. Naudi.
26 October 2006 The Institute of Maltese Journalists today received a complaint from ONE News head Miriam Dalli in which it was alleged that the Prime Minister's staff censored ONE News by preventing their reporter from asking the Prime Minister questions during a news conference in Parliament yesterday. "Josephine Vassallo, the Prime Minister's Communications and Press Secretary, did not allow the (ONE News) journalist to ask a question. The excuse was that, once a question was made by KullHadd, ONE News did not have the right to ask another question." Ms Dalli said other members of the PM's staff, Robert Cutajar and Edgar Galea Curmi, stepped in front of the ONE News camera to prevent it from filming and Department of Information personnel cut the audio feed from which ONE News was taking the sound to go with its film. When Ms Vassallo was contacted yesterday, she said the Communications Department at the OPM has decided to implement a procedure allowing media houses one question at press conferences of this nature to enable all media houses to get a chance. Last week, following the Budget speech, Media.Link journalists were afforded one question, whereas both the Super One and KullHadd journalists (2 out of 3 of the Labour Party-owned media's reporters present) were given an opportunity to ask a question. Last night, at the PM's press conference, there were representatives of Super 1, KullHadd, Media.Link, RTK, The Times and The Malta Independent. Each media house had the opportunity to ask a question, although the KullHadd reporter asked two questions. This is why no questions were taken from One News. Should the media have any further questions, Ms Vassallo said her e-mail is always available and the PM will continue to be accessible for one-on-one meetings with all media. The Council of the Institute of Maltese Journalists believes that the Communications Department at the OPM is in duty bound to inform all media houses beforehand when it introduces new procedures that regulate the management of press conferences involving the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet. Although media houses may own several media, sometimes even through different companies, so long as any new procedure is followed fairly and the PM is made accessible in fact not simply through intent, then the journalists should abide by it. Where possible, in the interests of openness, all journalists who give their time and show an interest to take part in press conferences, in the course of their work, should be given access to ask questions to the PM, although it must be accepted that his time is limited. 29.9.2006 Ittra lis-Sur Mark Farrugia, Media Executive tal-Partit Laburista Sur Farrugia, Dwar il-Karikatura Nirreferi ghan-nota li bghattli fejn tlabt lill-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin jiehu pozizzjoni dwar karikatura li dehret f'The Times fis-27 ta' Settembru 2006. Il-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin jemmen li l-kuncett tal-karikaturi hu, kif ghidt int stess, parti importanti ta' l-espressjoni gurnalistika fejn wiehed b'mod artistiku jikkritika lil xi hadd jew xi idea. Ghalkemm xi drabi dawn jistghu jkunu jew jigu interpretati bhala offensivi, il-Kunsill ma jemminx li dawn ghandhom iwassalu ghal xi forma ta' censura. Min-naha l-ohra, fil-fehma tal-Kunsill ta' l-IGM, karikatura filwaqt li tati lok ghal immaginazzjoni aktar imgebbda, zgur li ma taghtix l-ghodda jew il-jedd li tipprova tkisser ir-reputazzjoni ta' xi hadd. Xorta wahda l-IGM jafferma d-dritt tal-liberta' ta' l-espressjoni li hu dritt fundamentali. Sadattant jekk il-Partit Laburista jhoss li l-karikatura li int qed tirreferi ghaliha hi offensiva fil-konfront ta' xi ufficjali tieghu, hemm passi legali li jistghu jittiehdu. Jekk iqisha bhala dispregjattiva u 'in bad taste' u konsegwentament nieqsa mill-etika, il-Partit Laburista jista' jressaq ilment ufficjali quddiem il-Press Ethics Commission. Fl-istess waqt, kif dejjem ghamel, il-Kunsill ta' l-IGM jappella ghal aktar moderazzjoni u responsabbilta' min-naha ta' l-istampa u ghal aktar tolleranza mill-politici.
PRESS RELEASE: 27.09.2006 SEBGHA U GHOXRIN FINALIST GHAS-SITTAX-IL EDIZZJONI
L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) habbar l-ismijiet tas-sebgha u ghoxrin (27) finalist li lahqu l-istadju finali minn fost il-55 partecipant li hadu sehem fil-kompetizzjoni gurnalistika Malta Journalism Awards. Din hi s-sittax-il edizzjoni konsekuttiva li l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin qed jorganizza. Matul is-snin, din il-kompetizzjoni kibret u l-lum ghandha 12-il kategorija differenti. Diversi istituzzjonijiet u kumpanniji ewlenin, sena wara l-ohra, jisponsorjaw il-Malta Journalism Awards. Fost dawn hemm l-HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., Vodafone Malta Limited l-Awtorita` tax-Xandir, HP, The Farsons Foundation, Malta International Airport, l-Awtorita` Maltija tat-Turizmu, Melita Cable u l-linja ta' l-ajru Emirates. Il-Gurija ta' din l-edizzjoni ghazlet lil dawn il-finalisti mnizzlin hawn taht f'ordni alfabetika: Gurnalizmu Stampat - Ahbarijiet - sponsorjata mill-HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. Roderick James Agius (il-Mument / In-Nazzjon) Gurnalizmu Stampat - Features - sponsorjata minn Vodafone Malta Ltd Martin Debattista (The Times) Gurnalizmu Fotografiku - sponsorjata minn The Farsons Foundation Rene` Rossignaud (The Malta Independent / The
Times) Overseas Assignments (kategorija gdida) - sponsorjata minn Emirates Airline Julia Farrugia, Joe Cachia, Joseph Fava, Pablo
Micallef u Charles Ahar (Super 1) Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Skript Televiziv - sponsorjata mill-Awtorita` tax-Xandir Julia Farrugia u Joe Cachia (Super 1) Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Filmat Televisiv- sponsorjata mill-Awtorita` tax-Xandir Marco Micallef (Super 1) Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Radio (kategorija gdida)
L-ebda finalist Gurnalizmu Kulturali - sponsorjata mill-Awtorita` Maltija tat-Turizmu Lino Bugeja (The Sunday Times) Gurnalizmu Sportiv - sponsorjata minn Melita Cable, Charles Camenzuli (Net TV) Gurnalizmu Fotografiku Sportiv - sponsorjata mill-Malta International Airport Domenic Aquilina (uefa direct / The Technician) E-Gurnalizmu - sponsorjata minn Hewlett-Packard
Il-Gurija qed thejji wkoll rapport dettaljat dwar is-sottomissjonijiet u l-livell gurnalistiku taghhom li ghandu jinqara qabel il-premjazzjoni. Dakinhar jithabbru wkoll l-ismijiet tal-membru li huma fuq il-Gurija ghal din l-edizzjoni. Din is-sena c-cerimonja tal-premjazzjoni se ssir f' Novembru 2006. Ir-rebbieh tal-kategorija l-Lingwa Nazzjonali
fil-Gurnalizmu jithabbar fil-lejla tal-prezentazzjoni. F'din
il-kategorija hemm 20 partecipant.
Stqarrija ghall-Istampa 55 PARTECIPANT FIS-SITTAX-IL EDIZZJONI TAL-MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) habbar li 55 gurnalist qed jiehdu sehem fis-16-il edizzjoni tal-kompetizzjoni gurnalistika, il-Malta Journalism Awards. Bhalissa il-gurija ghaddejja bil-hidma taghha. Hu mistenni li l-gimgha li gejja l-IGM ihabbar il-finalisti. L-IGM jorganizza dan l-avveniment fuq ba?i annwali. Din is-sena, il-kompetizzjoni ghandha 12-il kategorija, li tlieta minnhom huma godda. Dawn huma: Gurnalizmu Stampat - Ahbarijiet, Gurnalizmu Stampat - Features, Gurnalizmu Fotografiku, Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Skript Televiziv, Gurnalizmu Mxandar - Filmat Televiziv, Gurnalizmu Mxandar - bir-Radju (kategorija gdida), E-Gurnalizmu, Hidma Gurnalistika barra minn Malta (Overseas Assignments - kategorija gdida), Gurnalizmu Sportiv, Fotografija Sportiva (kategorija gdida), Gurnalizmu Kulturali, u l-Lingwa Maltija fil-Gurnalizmu. Kwazi kull kategorija hi sponsorjata minn kumpannija
jew organizzazzjoni differenti. L-isponsors huma HSBC Bank Malta
p.l.c., Vodafone Malta Ltd, The Farsons Foundation, l-Awtorita`
tax-Xandir, HP (Hewlett-Packard), il-Malta International Airport,
l-Awtorita` Maltija tat-Turizmu u l-linja ta' l-ajru Emirates.
Stqarrija ghall-Istampa L-ISTITUT TAL-GURNALISTI MALTIN JURI S-SOGHBA TIEGHU GHALL-MEWT TA' PAUL CARACHI L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin juri s-soghba tieghu ghall-mewt ta' Pawlu Carachi. Ghal snin twal Pawlu Carachi hadem bhala gurnalist u f'Novembru li ghadda l-hidma tieghu nghatat gharfien mill-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin bl-ghoti tal-Gold Award. Il-hsibijiet f'dan il-mument ta' dieqa imorru ghall-familja Carachi u ghall-qraba kollha tal-istess Pawlu Carachi. BIJOGRAFIJA TA' PAUL CARACHI Imwieled il-Birgu fid-29 ta' April, 1926, Paul Carachi gie minn ta' quddiemnett fl-iskola tal-Gvern u ha Borza ta' Studju ghall-edukazzjoni tieghu l-Liceo. It-tieni Gwerra Dinjija harbtet lill-familja tieghu u lilu stess. Minkejja l-insistenza qawwija mid-Direttur ta' l-Edukazzjoni, il-Kav. J.P. Vassallo biex ikompli l-iskola, Paul Carachi dahal jahdem ma' l-Allied Malta Newspapers Ltd. Minn salesboy, igorr u jqassam il-gurnali Times of Malta u il-Berqa, spicca l-impieg tieghu minn ma' din il-kumpaniji bhala gurnalista maghmul. Paul Carachi nghaqad mal-Malta Labour Party fl-1960 u nhatar Assistent Editur ta' l-organu ufficjali tal-Partit The Voice of Malta. Wara dahal mal-General Workers Union, fejn inhatar Assistent Maniger tal-Union Press u wara Assistent Editur tal-gurnal il-gdid tal-GWU, li hu stess tah l-isem l-orizzont. Wara, huwa nhatar editur tal-gazzetta bl-Ingliz tal-GWU The Malta News. Huwa gieb rivoluzzjoni shiha fil-qasam gurnalistiku, kemm bl-introduzzjoni ta' l-istil tabloid u rappurtagg investigattiv b'enfasi fuq stejjer b'element qawwi uman. Huwa nhatar Assistent Segretarju Internazzjonali fl-Ezekuttiv Nazzjonali tal-Partit Laburista fejn ha sehem fil-Konferenza Gholja flimkien mad-Deputat Mexxej tal-Partit, Dr Anton Buttigieg f'Belgrad ghall-helsien ta' Malta. Paul Carachi tilef l-ewwel elezzjoni tieghu fl-1962, izda kien elett fil-Parlament fl-1966 u fl-1971. Kemm dam fil-Parlament huwa rrapprezenta lil Malta fil-Kunsill ta' l-Ewropa flimkien ma' kollegi miz-zewg nahat tal-Kamra, u fil-Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Huwa kien ukoll Membru tal-Kunsill ta' l-Universita' ta' Malta. Fl-1984 huwa kien producer u xandar fil-Kamra ta' l-Ahbarijiet ta' Xandir Malta sakemm wasal ghall-pensjoni. Fl-1995, flimkien ma' l-edukatur Guido Borg u ohrajn waqqaf u mexxa l-Moviment Balzani u kien elett fil-Kunsill Lokali ta' Hal Balzan f'Marzu tal-1996. Fl-1999 rega' kien elett bhala Kunsillier Laburista. Il-Professur Henry Frendo sejjahlu bhala "Il-ggant tal-gurnalizmu Malti." Pawlu Carachi kien mizzewweg lil Evelyn u ghandu
zewg ulied, Mary Rose u Alex. FTEHIM TA' KOPERAZZJONI BEJN L-IGM U l-LJA L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) u l-Libyan Journalists' Association (LJA) ghadhom kemm iffirmaw ftehm ta' koperazzjoni bil-ghan li jtejbu r-relazzjonijiet bilaterali u internazzjonali bejn iz-zewg organizzazzjonijiet. Dan iil-ftehim sehh wara diskussjonijiet li kienu saru fl-imghoddi bejn l-bejn l-ufficjali ta' l-IGM u l-Ambaxxatur Libjan Dr Saad Elshlmani u Ashour Tillisi, Segretarju Generali tal-LJA. Il-ftehim jipprovdi fost affarijiet ohra: 1. ghat-twaqqif ta' assocjazzjoni bejn l-Istitut
tal-Gurnalisti Maltin u l-Libyan Journalists' Association, bl-isem
ta' Maltese-Libyan Journalists Association (MLJA), ic-chairman
ta' l-IGM ikun ic-chairman taghha, u s-Segretarju Generali tal-LJA
l-vici chairman. 3. Li ufficjali ta' l-IGM u l-LJA jaghmlu zjarat reciproci bejn iz-zewg pajjizi biex ikabbru u jsahhu l-koperazzjoni bejn iz-zewg Assocjazzjonijiet. 4. Li l-IGM tghin biex gurnalisti membri tal-LJA
jkollhom 'attachments' ma' stamperiji lokali ghall-perijodi
qosra ta' tahrig fuq il-post tax-xoghol. 6. Li l-IGM jistieden ufficjali tal-LJA ghall-Kunmgres tal-Gurnalisti tal-Mediterran li se jsir 'Malta f'Mejju 2007 u se jkun organizzat mill-IGM. 7. Li l-MLJA, b'kollaborazzjoni mal-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni tal-Guranlisti, jahdmu biex jitwaqqaf centru f'Malta ghall-tahrig tal-gurnalisti Libjani u minn pajjizi Gharab ohra. 8. Li kull guranlisti li jkollu press card mahruga miz-zewg ghaqdiet ikun membru assocjat tal-MLJA. Dan il-ftehim irid jigi approvat miz-zewg organizazzjonijiet fil-laqghat Generali Annwali taghhom wara li jkun approvat miz-zewg assocjazzjonijet.
UFFICJALI TA' L-IGM F'LAQGHA MAS-SEGRETARJI TAL-PARTITI POLITICI Ufficjali ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin, immexxija mic-chairman Malcolm J. Naudi, ricentament iltaqghu mas-Segretarji Generali tal-partiti politici ewlenin, Joe Saliba (Partit Nazzjonalista), Jason Micallef (Partit Laburista) u Stephen Cachia (Alternattiva Demokratika) u ddiskutew flimkien ir-relazzjonijiet bejn il-membri ta' l-Istampa u r-rapprezentanti tal-partiti politici ewlenin, inkluz deputati parlamentari. Il-laqgha, li kienet wahda kordjali hafna, intlabet mill-IGM wara li membri ta' l-istampa kienu involuti f'incidenti ma' Membri Parlamentari u ufficjali taz-zewg partiti ewlenin. Id-diskussjoni kienet intenzjonata biex jitjiebu r-relazzjonijiet bejn il-membri tal-media u l-ufficjali tal-Partit Politici, specjalment fix-xhur li gejjen fejn mistennija jizdiedu l-attivitajiet elettorali. Is-sur Saliba qal li l-membri tal-media lokali ghandhom access facli hafna ghall-membri tal-partiti politici, iktar minn kull pajjizi iehor fid-dinja. Infatti, qal, l-fl-ebda pajjiz fid-dinja l-membri ta' l-istampa m'ghandhom access daqstant facli mal-membri tal-partiti politici. Din l-opinjoni kienet wahda komuni kemm mas-segretarji l-ohra kif ukoll ma' l-istess ufficjali ta' l-IGM. Madankollu, kulhadd ammetta li xi drabi rapprezentanti
ta' l-istampa jidhlu f'kunflitt ma' rapprezentanti tal-partit
politici li jaghmlu l-hidma taghhom iktar difficli, ghalkemm
kien hemm ukoll qbil li dawn l-incidenti m'humiex daqstant spissi,
u meta jigru ma jkunux intenzjonati, izda iktar isehhu fis-sahna
tal-mument.
28.07.2006 Il-Kunsill ta' l-IGM jiddiplora l-agir tal-Ministru Gatt Isejjah ghal-laqgha mal-partiti politici biex
il-gurnalisti Il-Kunsill ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin ircieva lment mill-Kap tal-Kamra ta' l-Ahbarijiet tas-Super I dwar l-incident li fih il-cameraman ta' l-istazzjon Bjon Jo Zammit ma thalliex jiffilmja laqgha tal-Kumitat tal-Kontijiet Pubblici tal-Parlament wara oggezzjoni tal-Ministru Austin Gatt. Il-Kunsill ihoss li l-gurnalist li jmur fejn imur biex jaqdi dmirijietu, inkluz fil-Parlament, m'ghandux isib ostakli jew theddid. Ghalhekk il-Kunsill jiddiplora l-agir tal-Ministru Dr Austin Gatt u juri solidarjeta' ma' Bjon Jo Zammit. Sadattant il-Kunsill jinnota li ricentament gew irraportati diversi incidenti bejn gurnalisti u xi membri tal-partiti politici. Billi l-pajjiz jinsab riesaq lejn kampaniji elettorali, u l-qiegha qed tibda tishon, il-Kunsill ihoss li l-gurnalisti, huma ta' liema media huma, ghandhom ikollhom ic-cans li jaqdu dmirhom bla biza' u fi klima trankwilla. Ghal dan l-iskop il-Kunsill kiteb lis-Segretarji Generali tal-partiti politici Maltin biex jiltaqa' maghhom u flimkien jiddiskutu s-sitwazzjoni u jahdmu lejn atmosfera li toffri lill-gurnalisti l-opportunita' li jaqdi dmirhom minghajr biza' u tensjoni zejda.
20.07. 2006
The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) today was asked to investigate a complaint from Super One Television that the station was discriminated against in the access given by the Armed Forces of Malta to the media to cover the immigrants' incident on the Spanish trawler off Malta.
16.7.2006 IGM LAUNCHES 16TH EDITION OF MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) launched
the 16th edition of the annual press awards with more categories.
As from this year, the Malta Journalism Awards will include
three new categories: "Moreover, as from this edition, any individual or organisation may submit an application on behalf of a journalist. Editors may not only submit works by their respective journalists but also by other journalists as well. Through this innovation, the Malta Journalism Awards are being made accessible to everyone as anyone can now submit an application on his/her behalf if they are journalists, or on behalf of another journalist," said IGM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi. Categories Broadcast categories: General categories: Malta Journalism Awards Commission Overseas Assignments (new category) Broadcast Journalism - Radio (new category) Broadcast Journalism - TV categories "The Institute is not particularly happy with the level of participation in the TV Film category. For this edition we are expecting a higher level of participation by cameramen to convince us to retain this category for next year," said IGM chairman.
However, being a non-competing category, caricaturists or their Editors may submit up to 15 caricatures per caricaturist to be considered for an annual publication to be released next year. Sports Journalism Sports Photography Prizes The winner of the special category entitled 'Il-Lingwa Nazzjonali fil-Gurnalizmu" will be presented with the Malta Journalism Award trophy for that category. Presentation Ceremony All Maltese journalists may participate Submissions by Editors and Other Organisations Submissions can also be forwarded by organisations, corporations and bodies. In both cases, consent has to be given by the individual journalist/s concerned by filling the appropriate part on the Official Application Form prior to submission of entry by Editor, Head of News Department, or organisations/corporations/bodies. Closing Date "An overall marked improvement has been noted over the years in the submissions for the Print Journalism, Press Photography and Sport Journalism categories. These categories have now become showcases of the good standard being achieved by Maltese journalists," said the Institute's general secretary Joe A Vella. This year, he will again be assisted by Mr Carmel Bonello as project director in the organisation of the Malta Journalism Awards. Regulations and applications may be obtained either by phoning Mr Vella 2131-6958/ 9945 0746 or Mr Bonello on 2124 3212, or from this website: www.maltapressclub.org.mt 27.6.2006
POLICE STATEMENT SHOWS GROSS MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE FUNCTION OF THE MEDIA IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
In a democratic society the journalist not only had the right but also the duty to report incidents like those that occurred at the detention centres, which are in the public interest. The authorities, including the police, had the duty to allow journalists to report comprehensively these events of public interest within agreed parameters. The police commissioner's statement that the media "instigated tension" with its presence in such instances and should thus not be allowed to report was not acceptable to the IGM. This was yet an indication of the wrong forma mentis of the police and other authorities when dealing with such incidents. Regarding the Croatia-Malta football match, the Institute noted that although it was MFA staff that confiscated memory cards, the police still acted abusively when they tried to stop photographers from taking photos and ordered them out of the stadium when violence was still occurring. At no time did the police commissioner's statement mention the agreement that had been reached between the Institute and the police commissioner of the time in 2001. The police commissioner should make this agreement known to his officers. Note to editors
1. Police will give proper and full protection to journalists news photographers and news cameramen on duty, and especially when these are threatened or actually attacked; 2. Police will investigate and immediately take steps against anybody who verbally, or physically abuses journalists; 3. Police will not interfere with journalists, news photographers and news cameramen who are performing their duties legitimately; 4. Journalists, news photographers and news cameramen on duty will leave adequate space for the Police to operate; 5. Journalists are to identify themselves with the most senior ranking police officer on site; and 6. Journalists are to have visible identification, as a general rule
17.6.2006 Med Journalists' Conference adopts resolution
moved by IGM The resolution also condemned the arson attacks against the fundamental liberties and freedom of the press, and at the same time it supported the Maltese journalists' right and determination to continue reporting without fear of favour." The resolution was moved by the Maltese delegation of the Insitute of Maltese Journalists, Joe A. Vella, Secretary, Julia Farrugia and Roderick Agius, members. In a message to the Conference, Aiden White, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said the Conference could not have come at a more turbulent time for journalists in the region. The deepening crisis in Palestine, the emergence of racism and new intolerance over religious affairs, the uncertainty over the future of the Euroepan Union, and the ocntinuing challenges of enlargement all make the renewal of regional solidarity an urgent task for the IFJ. White also said that the IFJ has just launched a programme of cooperation through the EU Med programme of the Euroepan Union, which allows the IFJ to strenghten debate among colleagues within the region on European Union affairs and which takes the issue of media cooperation into a new phase following the conclusion of the Barcelona process last year. "The meeting in Porec, will further deepen profesional solidarity between Europe and the Arab world and above all this will also ensure that the voice of the Mediterranean journalism, for rights and editorial independence, in all its diverse and colourful forms, is heard loud and clear by goverments, by employers and by our brothers and sisters in the rest of Europre and the Arab World," concluded White. The attendance of the Maltese delegation of the
IGM was courtesy of Air Malta.
20.5.2006 Il-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech tapprova l-programm gurnalistiku ghax-xhur li gejjin Il-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni tal-Gurnalizmu, dal-granet approvat il-programm ta' attivitajiet li ghandhom x'jaqsmu mal-gurnalizmu ghax-xhur li gejjin, fosthom numru ta' korsijiet u seminars. Is-seminars/korsijiet se jsiru wara suggerimenti mressaq mill-Board of Studies imwaqqaf mill-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM). Il-Bord ta' Studji, li c-chairman tieghu hu Charlot Zahra bhala PR/Edukazzjoni ta' l-IGM, ghandu bhala membri lil Fr Joe Borg, Dr Carmen Sammut, Ray Bugeja, Ariadne Massa u Mario Schiavone, li hu l-Ammistrattur tal-Fondazzjoni u Tezorier ta' l-IGM. Il-Bord irrakomanda l-korsijiet imnizzla hawn that, li kollha gew approvati mill-Fondazzjoni. Ma' dawn se jsiru ohrajn fuq rakkomandazzjoni ta' l-IGM, wiehed dwar ir-relazzjonijiet tal-Media mal-Pulizija, u iehor dwar aspetti etnici godda f'Malta. Fil-jiem li gejjin, meta jkunu finalizzati d-dettalji tal-korsijiet u s-seminars u min se jmexxihom, ikunu publikati dawn id-dettalji biex il-gurnalisti u ohrajn interessati, jkunu jistghu japplikaw biex jattendu. Is-suggetti li se jkunu trattati f'dawn il-korsijiet u seminars jinkludu: ir-relazzjonijiet tal-Media mal-Pulizija, l-Immigranti Irregolari, id-Dritt ta' l-Informazzjoni, il-Hidma tal-Parlament Ewropew, il-Fotografija Gurnalistika u l-Hiliet fil-Kitba bil-Malti u bl-Ingliz. Il-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech twaqqfet sitt snin ilu twaqqfet sitt snin ilu biex permezz ta' korsijiet, seminars, pubblikazzjonijiet u kull mezz iehor tghin fil-preparazzjoni professjonali tal-gurnalisti Maltin bl-iskop li joghla l-livell tal-gurnalizmu f'pajjizna. Ic-chairman taghha hu l-President Emeritus, Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, u fost il-membri hemm rapprezentanti ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin. Membri ohra tal-Board huma s-sinjuri Lino Spiteri, Ray Sladden u Anthony Debono, Segretarju. Anthony Debono,
Attivist dwar id-Drittijiet Umani se jitkellem fl-IGM
Jovanovic li ghandu 56 sena jinsab Malta fuq zjara qasira - fejn kien ezaljat Malta ghal zmien qasir bejn l-1993-1994 - hu iben gurnalist distint ta' wara l-gwerra li kien jeditja l-Youth u l-Borba magazins. Imwieled f'Belgrad, Jovanovic studja l-ekonomija fl-Universita' ta' Belgrad u fl-1996 kien il-kelliem tal-Partit Demokratiku dwar id-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem. Hu hadem 12-il dokumentarji dwar in-nazzjonalizmu estrem wara l-waqgha tal-Kommunizmu meta ha l-poter Milosovic. Jovanovic jemmen bis-shih li l-Mafia hija qawwija fis-Serbja u l-Montenegro, u li s-servizzi sigriet f'dawn il-pajjizi qatt ma gew riformati u dan importanti li jigi ghall-attenzjoni tal-media tal-pajjizi tal-Punent. Jovanovic jghid li hu gie msawwat, itterturat u mitfugh il-habs mis-servizzi sigriet meta hu sab dokumenti relatati ma' attrocitajiet li twettqu fil-pajjiz. Il-membri kolha tal-media huma mistiedna jattendu. Wara tmiem id-diskors ta' Jovanovic dawk prezenti jkunu jistghu jaghmlu mistoqsijiet.
L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin jikkundanna l-attakk fuq id-dar ta' gurnalist L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin sema' b'dispjacir l-ahbar li l-id tal-gifa matul il-lejl li ghadda tat in-nar lill-bieb tad-dar tar-residenza privata ta' Saviour Balzan, l-editur tal-"Malta Today". L-Istitut jikkundanna bil-qawwa kollha dan l-attakk viljakk li sar fis-satra tal-lejl kontra gurnalist u kollega u filwaqt li juri solidarjeta' shiha ma' Saviour Balzan u l-familja tieghu, jappella lill-awtoritajiet biex jinvestigaw il-kaz u lill-pubbliku biex min jista' jaghti taghrif biex jinqabad il-hati, jinforma lill-pulizija li qed jinvestigaw il-kaz. Fl-okkazzjoni tal-Jum Dinji tal-Liberta' ta' l-Istampa li qed ikun celebrat madwar id-dinja kollha, dan l-attentat ta' intimidazzjoni, jikkuntrasta bis-shih mad-drittijiet tal-liberta' ta' l-istampa li f'din l-okkazzjoni qeghdin nishqu fuqhom. L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin jirreferi ghal
stqarrija li hareg ghal din l-okkazzjoni li fiha wera s-solidarjeta'
tieghu ma' mijiet ta' gurnalisti u l-familji taghhom li matul
din is-sena sfaw maqtula, mahtufa, u bl-istess mod juri s-solidarjeta'
tieghu ma' Saviour Balzan.
World Press Freedom Day INSTITUTE OF MALTESE JOURNALISTS CALLS FOR A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin - IGM) is making a formal call on the Government of Malta to ensure that the country will have a Freedom of Information Act. This law is required in a democratic society because, apart from in instances where there is a threat to national security and in other exceptional cases, it would open wide to public scrutiny and to the press all information of a public nature to which the people has the right of access. Although in the past the Institute was instrumental in obtaining substantial progress in the Press Act by introducing rights like the confidentiality of sources of information and the publication of privileged information, the natural next step is for the right of a free media in our country to be strengthened through full access to information. On this occasion (of World Press Freedom Day), the Institute of Maltese Journalists expresses its full solidarity with the families of more than 58 journalists who lost their lives during 2005 in a number of countries across the world and with the families of hundreds of other journalists who were kidnapped in countries where there is a conflict situation or were put in jail after being sentenced unjustly because they were not prepared to compromise on the truth and issued news that various regimes and also supposedly democratic governments did not like. The IGM seconded a motion passed during a meeting of Mediterranean Journalists in Almeria, Spain, last year calling for a delegation of the conference to visit Iraq to work for the release of two French journalists that were kidnapped in that country. (In 2007 this same Conference of Mediterranean Journalists is to be held in Malta. The meeting will be organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists with the collaboration of the Malta Tourism Authority and Air Malta.) Although in Malta no journalist has been killed, beaten up or sent to prison in recent years, Maltese journalists still feel they are hampered while carrying out their duties. The Institute of Maltese Journalists is committed to working towards the elimination of these obstacles to ensure that the journalists' rights and freedoms enshrined in the country's Constitution are continued to be enjoyed always and in every situation without any detraction. Maltese journalists, who exercise their profession according to the law and in an ethical manner, are the voice of a free people who cannot be silenced. The Institute of Maltese Journalists has written to the Prime Minister on the need of such a Freedom of Information Act and requested a meeting with him to discuss its proposals.
Stqarrija kongunta bejn l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin u l-Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (Malta) L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin, flimkien mal-Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (Malta), jiddeploraw l-agir, kummenti u attakki diretti li saru mill-President tal-MFA, Dr Joseph Mifsud, fil-konfront tal-gurnalist membru tal-IGM u l-GhKS, is-Sur Robert Cutajar.
December 28, 2005
IGM reaction to Depasquale inquiry report The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) makes the following observations on the Report of the Board of Inquiry nominated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on January 17, 2005, following the trouble at the Armed Forces of Malta detention centres at Safi on Thursday, January 13, 2005: 1. In a democratic society the journalist not only has the right but also the duty to publicise incidents like those that occurred at the detention centres, which he/she feels are in the public interest. 2. That the journalist has a right, protected by law, not to reveal confidential information. We appreciate that the Judge recognised this, as he also recognised, on his own admission, that it was thanks to the journalists' work that he managed to come to his conclusions. In fact, the journalists were the first to be asked to give evidence and the Judge gave great importance to their evidence. However, he did not specify what questions the journalists declined to answer. 3. The report gives the impression that the journalists appeared to be committing a sin because they were at the scene of the incidents before/while they occurred, as if they were scheming with the detainees. The Institute recalls that in a democratic society journalists have the right to have their own sources to enable them to fulfil their duties. This right is recognised by the legislator himself who, in 1996, after a lot of pressure by the IGM. Thanks to this law, the journalists were given qualified privilege, which enables them to protect their sources. 4. The Judge makes several pejorative comments on journalists, while he lays out the facts he collected, which the IGM feels are superfluous and out of place. At the same time, he complained that certain reports based on replies to journalists' questions were not precise (although he did not need to reply to those questions). The IGM feels that the Judge could have made use of all the means given to him by law to ensure the imprecise reports are clarified. 5. It is the journalist's right to report comprehensively and factually the events that are of public interest and it was the duty of the Army that, if it felt the need, it would not grant access to the detainees to the news if it were afraid that there could be repercussions. 6. Journalists were criticised that they did not know that the immigrants had escaped from the detention centre area and were in a place where they were not meant to be. This was not the journalists' fault. It is due to the lack of communication between the AFM and the journalists. If there had been an adequate briefing on these basic elements, the journalists would certainly have behaved differently. 7. On the effect the photographs of the protesters, printed in the media both in Malta and abroad, the IGM maintains that it is the journalists' duty to report even visually events that are of public interest. If these photographs could have had a negative effect, the criticism should not be directed at the journalist who was doing his duty but at those responsible to ensure that these incidents do not occur. 8. The IGM associates itself with the comments in the Inquiry report that it was thanks to these photographs that the Prime Ministers took swift action and appointed the Inquiry. 9. We do not agree with the criticism that some journalists sent photographs of the incidents abroad and these were disseminated by some agencies and on Websites. In this case, the journalists were doing no more than their duty. 10. In the Board of Inquiry report, there are several accusations of sensationalism in the media. The IGM maintains that when the media is reporting factually and correctly, it should not be accused of sensationalism. If the facts that occurred that day were serious, it is not the media's fault. 11. It was also observed that the journalists were not given permission to have access to the patients at hospital. The IGM points out that it is not normal practice for journalists to have access to any patient in hospital and that they also rely on statements by the police or hospital authorities issued by the DOI. 12. Finally, the IGM wished to reaffirm its position, that it does not agree with the Board of Inquiry report's conclusions that members of the media should not be granted access to the detention centres. The IGM recalls that in meetings it held with Interior Minister Tonio Borg and Parliamentary Secretary Carm. Mifsud Bonnici, it presented a document where it maintained that the detention centres should be accessible to the media under certain protocols and conditions. The IGM is still of this opinion and feels that,
if the Government had accepted this proposal, these incidents
could have been avoided. The Institute also recalls that there
was a commitment, expressed on several occasions by Minister
Borg himself, that a visit would be organised to a detention
centre, but this so far has not taken place.
Press Release No.: 20/2005 THE WINNERS OF THE FIFTHTEENTH EDITION OF THE MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED On the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the foundation of its foundation, on Monday 14 November 2005, The Institute of Maltese Jouranlists organised the fifthteenth edition of the Malta Journalism Awards. From 54 submissions in the preliminary phase, 26 reached the finals phase. The jury composed of Ms Carmen Sammut and Mr Charlot Bonnici as members, and Mr Victor Formosa as Chairman chose the winners for these categories: Print Journalism (News) Category Print Journalism (Features) Category (new category) Broadcast Script Journalism Category Press Photography Category Press Cartoons Category: E-Journalism Category Broadcast Film Journalism Category Sports Journalism Category Travel Journalism Category Cultural Tourism Category (New Category) L-Ilsien Malti fil-Gurnalizmu Journalist of the Year This is the fifthteenth consecutive year that this annual competition is being organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists. This year the ceremony took place at the Audiovision Centre studios in Hamrun. The Jury also prepared a detailed report about the submissions and their journalistic level, which was read before the presentation of the awards (Report is attached). During the same ceremony the winner of the Gold Award was announced as well. The Gold Award is given to the nominated person who the Jury deems to have gone beyond the requirements of normal journalistic practice during his or her career. The Jury of the Gold Award was made up of Dr Austin Sammut, Mr Anton Cassar, and His Excellency the President Emeritus Prof Guido De Marco as Chairman. The Gold Award this year was given to Paul Carachi. In the past seven editions that were held till
now this award was won by Fr Joe Borg (1998), Mr Anton Cassar
(1999), Mr Frank Attard (2000), Mr J.G. Vassallo (2001) and
Mr Anthony Montanaro (2002), Mr John Manduca (2003) and Mr Charles
Grech Orr (2004).
Press Release 19/2005 Malta Journalism Awards 2005 EUROSPORT SPONSOR SPORTS JOURNALISM CATEGORY FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR For the third consecutive year, the Michele Peresso Group of Companies, operators of the Eurosport chain of shops throughout Malta and Gozo, is sponsoring the Sports Journalism category in the annual Malta Journalism Awards. Organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), the awards are now in their 15th edition. As time goes by these awards are becoming more popular and attract the interest not only of all members of the media but also of a large number of sponsors, who are assisting financially so that the standards of this annual event will improve from year to year. Michael Peresso Jr, director of the company that
operates Eurosport, said at the The Chairman of the Institute of Maltese Journalists, Malcolm J. Naudi, said it was a natural choice for the leading local company in the field of sports equipment and sportswear to sponsor the sports journalism category in the Malta Journalism Awards. He augured that the strong connection that has so far been built between Eurosport and the awards should continue in the years ahead to the benefit of both sides. Apart from the Sports Journalism category, the firm Michele Peresso Ltd also offers vouchers to the winners of all eight categories in the Malta Journalism Awards. Final preparations are currently in hand, with
the winners being announced in a ceremony on Monday, November
14. Press Release No. 18/2005 Malta Journalism Awards 2005 TWENTY-SIX FINALISTS FOR THE FIFTEENTH EDITION
OF From a record number of 54 submissions, the jury of the 15th edition of the Malta Journalism Awards, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), has chosen 26 finalists. The list was announced during a ceremony held at St James' Cavalier on Friday: PRINT JOURNALISM (NEWS) CATEGORY Herman Grech (Times of Malta) Roderick Agius (Media.Link)
PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORY Rene' Rossignaud (The Malta Independent) PRESS CARTOONS CATEGORY Anthony Preca (KULLHADD) SPORTS JOURNALISM CATEGORY Lino Bugeja (Times of Malta) E-JOURNALISM CATEGORY Pierre Mejlak (MaltaMedia) BROADCAST SCRIPT JOURNALISM CATEGORY Roderick Agius (NET TV) BROADCAST FILM JOURNALISM CATEGORY Alvin Scicluna (TVM) PRINT JOURNALISM FEATURES CATEGORY Ramona Depares (Sunday Circle) TRAVEL JOURNALISM CATEGORY Sandra Aquilina (The Malta Independent) CULTURAL TOURISM Claudette Baldacchino (Super 1 TV) L-ILSIEN MALTI FIL-GURNALIZMU To be announced during the final ceremony The final ceremony will be held on 14 November at the Audio
Vision Centre in Hamrun.
Press Release No. 17/2005 ISTITUTE OF MALTESE JOURNALISTS CONDEMNS MFA SECURITY, POLICE ACTS AT NATIONAL STADIUM Following the publication of reports in the Maltese media, alleging that camera memory cards and film tape were confiscated from Maltese and Croat photographers and cameramen on September 7, 2005, at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali, the Institute of Maltese Journalists condemns this blatant act of censorship. What is even worse, and what the IGM condemns also without any reservation, is that some photographers and cameramen, who were on official duty for their media organisations, were not only manhandled and exposed to abusive and obscene language, but also beaten up by individuals who were in duty bound to prevent these actions from taking place. The thrust of these initiatives by individuals who said they were Malta Football Association security personnel - yet had no means of identification - and members of the Malta Police Force was not to collect evidence to support proceedings in a Court of Law but, in fact, to destroy evidence that had been collected by these media professionals. The IGM calls on the Commissioner of Police and the President of the Malta Football Association to investigate the actions of these individuals and for disciplinary action to be taken against those who acted abusively and confiscated this material in breach of the law. This material should be returned to its rightful owners immediately. In addition, the IGM calls for clear policy guidelines to be drawn up for the coverage of these incidents, both by local and visiting (foreign) media. Once the national TV station was broadcasting live from Ta' Qali, there was nothing to 'hide'. Independently of what is going on in the stadium and who is acting against the law, it is the duty of the media to cover these events in the public interest. The Police should be given training in 'civil' conduct with regard to the media. As far back as 2001, it was agreed with the Police Commissioner that: 1. the Police will give proper and full protection to journalists, news photographers and news cameramen on duty, and especially when these are threatened or actually attacked; 2. the Police will investigate and immediately take steps against anybody who verbally, or physically abuses journalists; 3. the Police will not interfere with journalists, news photographers and news cameramen who are performing their duties legitimately; 4. journalists, news photographers and news cameramen on duty will leave adequate space for the Police to operate; 5. journalists are to identify themselves with the most senior ranking police officer on site; and 6. journalists are to have visible identification, as a general rule. The IGM reminds photographers and cameramen that, as it said in a statement on July 4, 2001: No newspaper, TV station or the Broadcasting Authority should hand over photographs or TV footage to the police for the following reasons: 1. journalists, photo-journalists and news cameramen
are bound by professional ethics to be impartial at all times
in their actions and reporting. Otherwise, they lose their credibility;
and
Press Release No. 16/2005 Malta Journalism Awards 2005 RECORD NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS When on Wednesday, 17 August, the deadline for submissions for the Malta Journalism Awards 2005 passed, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), which organises this prestigious award every year, received a record number of submissions. In total there were 54. The 15th edition of the awards will be the largest ever, not only because of the number of submissions but also because there are more categories, a decision that has yielded the desired results as now there will be a wider spread of participants. The IGM said that the submitted works were from all local newspapers except Malta Today. In addition, this year the submissions included contributions published in local magazines as well as broadcast on PBS, Super One Television and Net TV, as well as Radio 101, Super One Radio and Campus FM. This year's new category, Print Features, has attracted the largest number of submissions. Eleven journalists or contributors submitted 30 works for this category. Maltese journalists will be competing in ten different categories: Print Journalism (News), sponsored by HSBC Bank Malta plc; Print Journalism (Features), sponsored by Vodafone; Broadcast Script and Broadcast Film, both sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority; Sports Journalism, sponsored by Michele Peresso Ltd., operators of Eurosport; e-Journalism, sponsored by HP; Travel Journalism, sponsored by Emirates; Cultural Tourism, sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority; Press Photography, sponsored by the Farsons Foundation; and Press Cartoons, sponsored by Malta International Airport. Moreover, all the submissions in Maltese will compete for an award for the Best Use of Maltese in Journalism, sponsored by Maltapost plc. This year, for the first time, there will be the Best Journalist of the Year. The winner of this prize will be given the opportunity to work with a newspaper or a broadcasting station in the United Kingdom for two weeks. This prize has become possible thanks to the assistance of the British High Commission in Malta, HSBC Bank Malta plc and the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism. The winner in each of the ten categories of the awards will be given a new trophy, which this year has been designed by artist Bernard Scicluna, a certificate, cash as well as another prize awarded by Michele Peresso Ltd. The trophies were manufactured by Cutajar Works Ltd of Hamrun. The Gold Award, which has been sponsored by BPC International since its inception, is awarded to that Maltese journalist with a long and exemplary career during with he or she not only did his duty to raise the level of Maltese journalism but was also an example for others. The prize consists of a beautiful trophy and a certificate. The finalists in each category will be announced on 14 October and the final night, when the winners of the awards will be announced, will take place on 14 November at the Audio Vision Centre in Hamrun, kindly offered to the Institute of Maltese Journalists for this occasion by BPC International.
Press Release No. 15/2005 Malta Journalism Awards 2005 MALTAPOST SPONSORS 'USE OF MALTESE LANGUAGE IN JOURNALISM' AWARD Maltapost is the latest leading company to sponsor the Malta Journalism Awards, organised annually by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM). The agreement was signed officially last week at Maltapost's head office in Qormi. There are 12 categories in this year's Malta Journalism Awards, including three new ones. These new categories are: Cultural Tourism; Print Journalism (Features); and an overall award for the Journalist of the Year, with the prize being an attachment to a newspaper or TV/radio station abroad. Maltapost chairman David Stellini met IGM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi and IGM secretary Joe A. Vella in his office. After discussing the awards, Mr Stellini presented Maltapost's sponsorship for the awards. Also present was Maltapost's public relations manager Tony Barbaro Sant. Mr Stellini praised the IGM's work for the benefit of journalists and journalism in Malta, an important role in the country. He augured that the Malta Journalism Awards would be a success. Maltapost, he added, felt it was its duty to sponsor the awards, especially the Use of Maltese Language in Journalism Award, and he expressed the hope that the sponsorship would foster the improvement of the Maltese language in journalism. Mr Naudi thanked Mr Stellini for the sponsorship
and invited him to the final night in November to present the
trophy for this award personally. The trophies this year are
also new.
Stqarrija Numru 14/2005 IMNEDIJA IL-15-IL EDIZZJONI TAL-MALTA JOURNALISM AWARDS L-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin (IGM) habbar li s-serata finali tal-15-il edizzjoni tal-Malta Journalism Awards, li permezz taghha jkunu ppremjati dawk il-gurnalisti li bil-kitba jew ix-xandir taghhom matul l-2004 iddistingwew ruhhom u taw kontribut biex ikompli joghla l-livell tal-gurnalizmu f'pajjizna, se ssir it-Tnejn, 14 ta' Novembru, 2005. L-edizzjoni ta' din is-sena se jkun fiha diversi
innovazzjonijiet kemm f'dawk li huma premjijiet kif ukoll iz-zieda
ta' xi kategoriji. Ic-chairman ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin, Malcolm Naudi, habbar li din is-sena se jkun hemm kategorija gdida ghal kitba dwar Turizmu Kulturali li se tkun sponsorjata mill-Awtorita' Maltija ghat-Turizmu, filwaqt li l-kategorija tal-Gurnalizmu Miktub, minhabba numru kbir ta' sottomissjonijiet, se tinqasam f'zewg kategoriji billi jkun hemm wahda ghall-Ahbarijiet u l-ohra ghall-Features. Barra minn dan innovazzjoni ohra se tkun li se jkun nominat l-Ahjar Gurnalist/a tas-Sena. Dan ir-rebbieh se jinghata bhala premju l-opportunita' li jahdem ghal ghaxart ijiem ma' gazzetta jew stazzjon tat-televizjoni/radju fl-Ingilterra. L-Istitut tal-Guranlisti Maltin jixtieq jirringrazzja lill-Kummissjoni Gholja Ngliza f'Malta u lill-HSBC Bank Malta plc li qed jisponsorjaw din il-kategorija, u lill-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu ghall-appogg taghha biex jinghata dan il-premju prestiggjuz. Din is-sena wkoll qed ikunu ntrodotti trofej godda. Dawn inghazlu wara konkors li sar li fih ippartecipaw numru ta' artisti Maltin. Id-disinn rebbieh hu dak ta' Bernard Scicluna li nghata premju ta' Lm200. It-trofew il-gdid hu maghmul minn irham, hgieg u metal u jissimbolizza l-gurnalizmu fid-diversi forom tieghu f'ambjent lokali u internazzjonali. Il-Kategoriji fil-konkors huma: Gurnalizmu Stampat - Ahbarjiet - HSBC Bank Malta
plc Sponsors ohra fil-konkors huma l-BPC International u l-Fondazzjoni Tumas Fenech ghall-Edukazzjoni fil-Gurnalizmu. Din is-sena se ssir ukoll it-Tmien Edizzjoni tal-Gold Award li bhas-soltu hi sponsorjata kollha mill-BPC International. Dan il-premju jinghat lil dak il-gurnalist li fil-karriera tieghu jkun idddistingwa ruhu mhux biss fix-xoghol tieghu izda wkoll li jkun ta' ezempju u ispirazzjoni ghall-ohrajn. Is-sottomissjonijiet ghall-Malta Journalism Awards iridu jaslu t-Tlieta 16 u l-Erbgha 17 ta' Awissu 2005, billi jittiehdu personalment fl-ufficcju ta' l-Istitut tal-Gurnalisti Maltin bejn is-6.00 p.m. u s-7.30 p.m. Formoli ta' applikazzjoni jinkisbu mis-Segretarju ta' l-Istitut Joe A. Vella permezz tat-telefon 21316958/99450746 jew bil-posta elettronika: joeavella@onvol.net jew minn fuq din il-website stess billi tikklikkja hawn. In-Nominazzjonijiet ghall-Gold Award jaghlqu fil-31 ta' Awissu, 2005 u ghandhom jintbaghtu wkoll fuq l-istess indirizz ta' hawn fuq.
Press Release No. 13/2005 MALTA TOURISM AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN ADDRESSES SENIOR JOURNALISTS DURING IGM PRESS BRIEFING Malta Tourism Authority chairman Romuald Lungaro Mifsud gave an intensive two-hour briefing of the media yesterday at the Fortina Spa Resort. The briefing, the second in a series organised
by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), was also addressed
by Jeffrey Cutajar, director, Marketing & Promotion, at
the MTA, who announced that thanks to the MTA's support, the
IGM is to host the 2007 Conference of Journalists of the Mediterranean
of the International Federation of Journalists. Some 30 delegates are expected to attend this conference, which was held this year in Spain and is being held in 2006 in Croatia. Thanks to this conference, the IGM will also be in a position to bid for the 2008 international conference of the European Federation of Journalists, the European arm of the IFJ of which the IGM is a full member. Points from Mr Lungaro Mifsud's presentation, which revolved around four subject areas: 1. Restructuring of MTA; Restructuring The restructuring follows an audit that was conducted last year by Deloitte & Touche, which recommended the removal of most of the directorate boards of the MTA, and a one-to-one employee profiling exercise (total staff count about 180). The MTA marketing approach is going to change from one that is geographically oriented to one that is segment oriented. There are seven segments: 1. Leisure; The six overseas directors are to be recalled to Malta and will be given roles as segment heads. The segment heads will spent roughly a week in Malta and the rest of the month out in the field chasing new business. All segments are to be assigned targets and there is the intention to examine the possibility of offering incentives to those segments that reach their targets. Just two overseas offices are to be retained in the long term - UK and Germany, the main markets. The other offices that are leased will not have their leases renewed and any offices that will be retained will be moved from the centre to the periphery. As a result of the restructuring there will be smoother lines of communications and the organisation will be less top heavy. Since the MTA budget is decreasing, the authority has to act smarter and fight more aggressively for market share. The authority fully intends to reach its target of attracting 50,000 more tourists in 2005. It also intends to target tourists from China, India and South America. Branding Malta |
presentation
of the sponsorship, held at the Michele Peresso Group's head
offices in Psaila Street, Birkirkara, it was his pleasure that
Eurosport is once again supporting the Institute of Maltese
Journalists in its endeavours to improve the standards of journalism
in the country, in particular in the field of sport.