Maltese report low media trust and ‘negative feeling’ on non-EU migration

The trust of Maltese people in the European institutions and the EU itself was among the highest in the Union and well above average, but they showed the least trust in national media (26%), justice (35%) and political parties (36%).

According to a Standard Eurobarometer issued by the European Commission, the Maltese were more likely to trust the police – 61%. The national report collected 504 interviews conducted with respondents residing in Malta.

The poll reveals that 53% do not think Maltese media provide trustworthy information, even though 68% then agree that they provide a diversity of views and opinions.

76% said public service media was not free from political pressure, or that national media provide information free from political or commercial pressure.

News or information which respondents claimed misrepresents reality or is even false, were reported by 91% of respondents.

However 57% stated that it is easy for them to identify news or information that they believe misrepresent reality or are even false.

The same cohort told the Eurobarometer that migration from the EU into Malta evokes a positive feeling (68%) but that migration of non-EU nationals evokes a negative feeling in them (76%).

Irrespective of this level of mistrust, respondents in Malta continue to have a very positive perception of their own situation: 90% stated that they are very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the life they lead; 58% expect their life in general to remain the same over the coming twelve months; 25% expect it to get better and 13% expect it to get worse.

Two out of three respondents also stated that they never or almost never have had difficulties in paying their bills at the end of the month during the last twelve months. 12% stated that they have difficulties in paying their bills most of the time and 20% stated that this happens from time to time.

The two most important issues respondents in Malta are facing at the moment are rising prices, inflation, and cost of living, mentioned by 65% of respondents, and the environment and climate change, mentioned by 26% of respondents.

Respondents’ perceptions on the situation in Malta are equally divided. 49% described the situation in Malta as good and another 49% described the situation as bad.

52% of respondents stated that the most important issue facing Malta is inflation, rising prices and cost of living. This is followed by immigration (37%) and climate change (24%).

55% said things in Malta are moving in the wrong direction; 30% said “moving in the right direction”.

56% however said Malta’s economic situation was very good or rather good, but 30% expect the economic situation to get worse in the coming twelve months.

61% of respondents in Malta stated that they are very satisfied or fairly satisfied with Malta’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and 64% stated that they are very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the European Union’s response.

86% stated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a threat to the security of the EU, and 69% consider Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the security of Malta.