Journalists’ institute remains silent on exclusive media owners association

Question marks remain for journalists across the Maltese mediascape, as their press club has not communicated any position on Malta’s latest unholy alliance between the media and the political parties.

It is understood that a number of senior journalists working in participating media houses do not agree with the owners’ idea of teaming up with PN and Labour.

Sources told this newsroom that some journalists were not even informed in advance that this alliance would include political parties.

NEWZ is among several news outlets that sent their questions to participating media owners and to the IĠM shortly after the initial announcement.

None of the companies and political parties involved in the media owners association have replied to our questions.

One week after the IĠM confirmed receipt of this newsroom’s request, or more than two weeks after the initial announcement, the IĠM has not issued any statement.

It is understood that IĠM president Matthew Xuereb, assistant editor of Times of Malta, and his secretary general Kurt Sansone, executive editor of MaltaToday, try to avoid controversy.

Sources told NEWZ that the institute’s executive team has been in talks with the government to transform the IĠM into a fully recognised trade union.

The journalists’ institute already boasts on its website it is “officially recognised by the Government and all other Maltese institutions, including the Judiciary, the Roman Catholic Church and the Commissioner of Police”.

Another obstacle to finding a clear position on the exclusive media lobby could be the IĠM’s aim to represent both independent journalists and party propagandists.

While Reporters Without Borders issued a statement as early as last weekend, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have remained as silent as their local member IĠM.