Journalists’ sources ‘should not be tampered with’

The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) regretted the declaration made in court by a police officer, who stated that the police intended to institute proceedings in Court to request MediaToday's managing editor Saviour Balzan to reveal the source of information in a story published last year, which led to investigations into the oil purchasing scandal.

"The IĠM maintains that the confidentiality of the source is a right acquired by Maltese journalists on the Institute's initiative many years ago and this is an important principle that guarantees freedom of the press."

The institute added that it has full faith that the Maltese Courts, "before which the writ will be filed, will support the right to confidentiality, as guaranteed in the country's laws."

According to Article 46 of the Press Act, no court shall require a person to disclose, "nor shall such person be guilty of contempt of court for refusing to disclose" the source of information contained in a newspaper or broadcast "unless it is established to the satisfaction of the court that such disclosure is necessary in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, or for the prevention of disorder or crime or for the protection of the interests of justice."

The same article provides that the courts shall not order such disclosure "unless it is also satisfied that in the particular circumstances of the case the need for investigation by the court outweighs the need of the media to protect its sources, due regard being taken of the importance of the role of the media in a democratic society."