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My attention was drawn to a story under the heading ‘Journalists demand access to detention centers’ in last Sunday’s issue of MaltaToday, wherein it was reported that while I agreed journalists should be given access to detention centers I “would only allow serious journalists inside.” This is not what I told a journalist of ‘The Times’ over the phone and this is not what he reported.
I will make it even clearer. I do not peg any conditions whatsoever to access. If your newspaper wants to send anyone of its journalists to any detention centre it may freely do so. This was always my position and I will not be moved no matter how I am reported.
However having been to detention centers myself I am fully aware that all detainees have an agenda and, perhaps justifiably, try to impose it on visitors. In my comment to ‘The Times,’ which I gave over the phone, I was only appealing to editors and journalists to use proper and serious discretion in what they hear and see particularly in delicate matters where security and compassion are difficult to reconcile. I do not think I sinned. What I despise is sensationalist reportage.
Journalists who know me well know I am very down to earth and approachable. But in life I have learnt that besides meeting serious and responsible people we also come across cowboys and irresponsible folk, be they politicians or journalists.
I would be very pleased if henceforth you will quote this as being my personal official stand on journalists access to detention centers.
Dr Gavin Gulia MP
Malta Labour Party
Zebbug
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