The legal framework of the Maltese media : a critical appraisal

Abstract

This chapter discusses the legal framework of the Maltese media. All Maltese media are regulated by common provisions such as human rights and fundamental freedoms provisions of the Constitution of Malta, the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Criminal Code, the Press Act and the Copyright Act, and by common structures such as the Courts and the Police. Some media, however, have their own specific legal regime in addition to common frameworks and common structures. Such is the case with broadcasting which is regulated by the Broadcasting Act and the Broadcasting Authority. On the other hand, content on the electronic media and broadcasting on the on internet are lightly regulated by the Maltese Law and there is both a vacuum as to their legal framework and regulatory structures. This chapter thus studies the regulation of the diverse media and their respective regulatory structures. It also refers to the few instances of self-regulatory regimes and notes that no system of co-regulation is extant in Malta for the time being. The chapter concludes by making various suggestions for legal reform.