Journalists’ institute to introduce media representatives to council

Malcolm J. Naudi has been reconfirmed as chairman of the Institute of Maltese Journalists' (IGM) council for 2014, following its annual general meeting held at the institute's Valletta premises.

Naudi, formerly a journalist for Allied Newspapers, runs his own public relations firm, Malcolm J Naudi Communications and Know Now Ltd.

Former broadcaster Tony Barbaro Sant was appointed as secretary of the council, replacing Joe A. Vella, and Mario Schiavone, formerly a member of Media.Link and a spokesperson in the last Nationalist adminsitration, was re-elected treasurer.

Charles Flores, Charles Mizzi and Charles Camenzuli were re-elected Council members of the IGM, and they were joined by Roderick Agius, who was elected a member after he contested the election.

Charles Flores was appointed vice-president and Roderick Agius was Information Secretary.

An amendment to the Institute's Statue at the 2013 Annual General Meeting provides for journalist representatives of seven journalists to represent the local media on the IGM Council with full voting rights during the Institute's meetings.

The IGM is a founder member of the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE), which was set up in 1998. The Institute is also an associate member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and a full member of its European regional branch - the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).

The IGM was instrumental in setting up the Press Ethics Commission and the Tumas Fenech Foundation for the Education of Journalists (FTFEĠ) in 1999.

The IGM celebrates 25 years since its setting-up this year. "The Institute is going to continue to work for the benefit of the profession in the three main areas of focus: ethics, education and professionalisation," Naudi said.

"We will be seeking to introduce new blood into the Institute, adopting a five-year plan of action and adopting a new code of journalism ethics with the approval of all the major players in the media. I am convinced this will be truly a memorable year for the Institute."