Memorandum on the Press Law

Abstract

FORH almost 150 years, since the Memorial which was submitted by the Maltese to H.M. The King in 1811, the necessity was felt of having an adequate law to regulate the Press in Malta. The subject was discussed by the Royal Commissioners of 1830, and since then also in the Legislative Assembly, but up to now no satisfactory position has been reached. Our present law, Ord. V of 1933, as subsequently amended, which in part follows Ord. XIV of 1889. is in many respects inferior to its model and far behind the progressive laws of modern democratic governments. For this reason the National Assembly in April, 1945, unanimously decided that the Press Ordinance of 1933 should be amended. The goal at which the present urge for a reform should aim lies in effectively guaranteeing freedom of the press and at the same time in preventing such freedom from degenerating into licence.