The new Media and Defamation Bill is now at its final stages as it has reached unanimous approval at committee stage. This Bill is historic. It provides an unprecedented freedom to our country’s journalists, media practitioners and citizen-journalists and guarantees the safeguarding of freedom of speech. It builds upon crucial reforms done during the last legislature through which freedom of artistic expression was strengthened considerably. At the time the Opposition had branded the anti-censorship bill as an exercise of 'ksuhat' (stupidity). A couple of years afterwards, we were proven right. The new media bill is the second step in the two-pronged vision for increased freedom of expression. Reforms for a stronger democracy Through the new media reforms, Malta has truly opened its doors to freedom of expression, thus further strengthening our democracy. During the past two years, Government has been in constant consultation with stakeholders (including OSCE) … [Read more...] about Stronger freedom of expression
Freedom of expression
Media bill ‘second phase’ in opening freedom of expression; Minister defends anti-SLAPP rejection
The Media and Defamation Bill presented today is the government’s second phase in its commitment to open up laws on freedom of expression, with the third seeking to regulate the journalism profession itself, Minister Bonnici told a press conference at Parliament this morning. The first, he said, was the opening up of censorship laws and removal of the vilification of religion in the previous legislature. Bonnici, who was accompanied by OPM Communication Head Kurt Farrugia, also defended the government’s decision to follow the advice of four legal experts and reject the Anti-SLAPP amendment proposed by the Opposition in yesterday evening Consideration of Bills Committee meeting. The Media and Defamation Bill was presented last November, after a previous attempt at such a law by the government caused controversy. Through the law, it will longer be possible for an individual to file 10 libel suits on 10 separate stories which deal in the same allegedly libellous claim, … [Read more...] about Media bill ‘second phase’ in opening freedom of expression; Minister defends anti-SLAPP rejection
Warning over chilling impact on ‘freedom of expression’ if social media regulation unchecked
Social media technology giant, Twitter, has suggested growing efforts to clamp down on 'undesirable content' on social media will inevitably impact 'freedom of expression' online.In its latest transparency report, under a section titled ‘Legal Threats to Freedom of Expression,’ the company suggested new legislation and ongoing regulatory discussions taking place around the world about the future of public discourse online will have "a potential chilling effect with regards to freedom of expression.” The statement went on: "According to Human Rights Watch, the wave of regulatory pressure in Europe and beyond is setting an emerging precedent and creating a “domino effect” as “governments around the world increasingly look to restrict online speech by forcing social media companies to act as their censors.”"As regulators explore further potential restrictions, transparency is one of the most important ways we can continue to protect freedom of … [Read more...] about Warning over chilling impact on ‘freedom of expression’ if social media regulation unchecked
‘Chilling effect’: Twitter sees regulation of social media as threat to ‘freedom of expression’
The US social media giant Twitter has complained that growing efforts to clamp down on undesirable content are indirectly discouraging a healthy exchange of ideas online. “With the passage of new legislation and ongoing regulatory discussions taking place around the world about the future of public discourse online, we are seeing a potential chilling effect with regards to freedom of expression,” the company said, under the section titled ‘Legal Threats to Freedom of Expression,’ published Thursday in its latest transparency report. In the US legal context, a “chilling effect” occurs when just the fear of violating a law forces citizens to restrain themselves from doing perfectly legal things, in this case amounting to self-censorship. To back up its argument, Twitter cited Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticism of Germany’s revamped social media law, implemented in January, which threatens social media platforms with fines of up to €50 … [Read more...] about ‘Chilling effect’: Twitter sees regulation of social media as threat to ‘freedom of expression’
Amnesty International decries ‘intensifying’ crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan
Annual report criticises authorities on enforced disappearances, hails 'historic' legislation on transgender rights 0SHARES Share Tweet Email PHOTO: REUTERS Amnesty International has criticised what it claims is an “intensifying” crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan, according to an an annual report of the London-based human rights group released on Thursday. The report has also condemned the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 to “intimidate, harass and arbitrarily detain human rights defenders for online comments.” However, the assessment praises Pakistan for getting elected to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in October last year, and for passing “historic” legislation recognising the people of the “third gender” on national identity cards. According to Amnesty International, enforced disappearances in the country remain a wide-spread … [Read more...] about Amnesty International decries ‘intensifying’ crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan