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The torching of the front door of the house of our editor goes far beyond being a cowardly act and an attack on the right to freedom of expression. Coming in the wake of numerous attacks, still all unsolved by the police, it brings to the forefront the issue of law and order and whether the police are sufficiently equipped to handle this burning issue.
It’s not insignificant to point out that the house is just 50 metres opposite the Naxxar police station, guarded by a female policewoman present all night long on her own. How disappointing that while local councils invest good money in traffic cameras no such protection is given to local neighbourhoods. This just shows how mixed up local council priorities are, revenue rather than security driven.
This incident appears as a terrorist attack against critics of racism. Lest we merely accept this as just another burnt door incident, strict vigilance is called for. These incidents are making us all more security conscious and the element of fear is slowly creeping in. Safety in our homes was an electoral manifesto promise of the Nationalist party in its 1981 programme! The abusive misuse of the Internet by these ruthless promoters of hate and their verbal media aggression, culminating in coverage being given to them even on the public service network, must be checked before it is too late. Other countries have gone through these difficult moments, reacted late and only after blood was spilled. Do we have to wait before the burning of cars and/ or doors aggravates into a murder before the authorities take action? The country expects these culprits to be caught. This is an issue of law and order. It must be addressed and fast. Much can be done. The practise of police on the beat can be put into place and neighbourhood watches introduced.
The point at issue goes far beyond who did it. The whole point is the dangers under which journalists operate today both within and to a larger extent outside Malta.
Attacks on journalists are certainly not a novelty. They cannot be taken lightly. Many have been intimidated and physically assaulted in our country. The gutting of the building of the Times, was one of the worst nights of thuggery the country has ever seen. Neither will this be the last attack. MediaToday is fast changing and taking on a far more inquisitive role. What however makes the job of local journalists that much more difficult is the size of the country, personal friendships and the lack of tools at their disposal. Suffice to mention that much information is available in mature democracies at the touch of a button since the enactment of freedom of information laws have ensured that information is freely passed on to the journalists. Indeed it is the very availability of information that ensures the necessary checks and balances from abuse. We augur that government will take heed of calls and proposals being made by both the institute of journalists and the recently formed committee for journalists for such an act to be implemented. Transparency is the best disinfectant!
Where does this attack leave our newspaper? It certainly will not dissuade us from carrying on probing stories of concern to our readers. It leaves us all the more determined to reveal what is going on and to analyse why and what are the consequences. The numerous letters emails and calls the editor received fills us with further courage to soldier on and to lead. Yet this is not enough.
Journalism needs to be set free, independent from the clutches of politicians and big business.
This attack should lead to a proper reflection on the state of our media in this country and for all journalists to ponder whether our readers are being given the information of what is going on far beyond the self praise driving press releases and advertorials. Following our entry into the European community local media takes on a bigger role as the defender and the protector of individuals rights and freedoms most especially the people’s right to know. This will remain the driving ethos of this newspaper inspite of this barbaric attack.
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