PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Carmelo Abela meets with the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM)

Speaker stresses the importance of dialogue and a stronger relationship between Parliament and the media

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Carmelo Abela, stressed his commitment to further strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the media through more regular dialogue, better coordination and initiatives aimed at facilitating the work of journalists.

This emerged during a meeting with members of the new Council of the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), led by its President, Nicole Meilak.

“Free, professional and responsible journalism is essential to a strong democracy. As Speaker, I want to give particular importance to the relationship between Parliament and the media, as the media plays an essential role in ensuring that the work carried out in Parliament reaches the public,” Speaker Abela said.

The Speaker said that this meeting marked the first step in this commitment and expressed his intention to organise meetings with editors and newsroom journalists, as well as information sessions through which Parliament can provide greater insight into its functions and procedures. These initiatives should help strengthen understanding of parliamentary work and contribute to reporting that is increasingly clear, accurate and well-informed.

IĠM President Nicole Meilak welcomed the meeting and thanked the Speaker for his commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with the Institute. The IĠM welcomed the commitment to greater cooperation and dialogue between Parliament and the media, as well as to a more direct and stronger working relationship.

During the meeting, the IĠM also raised matters concerning the press point, where journalists have the opportunity to put questions to Members of Parliament, as well as the barricades surrounding the Parliament building.

Regarding the press point, the Speaker said that he will explore ways to further facilitate the work of journalists in Parliament, enabling them to carry out their duties professionally and in appropriate conditions.

“The intention is to find a more appropriate solution than the current barricades, while maintaining an adequate form of access control to the area beneath Parliament. We want a solution that respects the aesthetics and dignity of the building as the country’s highest representative institution, without hindering access to Parliament for journalists or the public,” the Speaker stressed.

The Speaker reiterated that Parliament will remain accessible to the public. Members of the public will continue to be able to enter Parliament and follow parliamentary sittings from the Strangers’ Gallery, in accordance with established access procedures, while journalists will continue to have the necessary access to carry out their work.

The Speaker and the IĠM agreed on the importance of maintaining regular and constructive dialogue, with the aim of strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the media and, above all, ensuring that the public remains well informed about parliamentary work.

Present at the meeting on behalf of the Institute of Maltese Journalists were President Nicole Meilak and Council members Daniel Ellul, Juliana Zammit and Emma Brownrigg Fenech.