Times of Malta must be able to protect confidential sources, says OSCE media freedom Representative

Vienna, 11 November 2018. Today, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, called on all authorities to drop the request to the editor of the Times of Malta to disclose a source of information used in a report on a planned takeover of a building project, after the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) made such request to the daily newspaper.

Désir stated: "I call to reconsider and withdraw the request to the Times of Malta to disclose its sources on an issue of public interest. The confidentiality of journalistic sources is an important element of media freedom, widely recognized and protected by international standards and Maltese legislation. The new Media and Defamation Act that came into force in Malta on 14 May 2018, includes strong protection of sources. This is a test case", Désir added.

In 2017, The OSCE media Freedom Representative provided legal advice to the Government of Malta upon its request, in the drafting of the Media and Defamation Act. 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, twitter @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.