Minister raises ‘porn’ threat over censorship abolition
Matthew Vella The Front Against Censorship has taken issue with comments in parliament by home affairs and justice minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, who claimed the abolition of censorship would lead to the use of child pornography.
So far however, Mifsud Bonnici has signalled there would be no total overhaul of censorship:
“Total abolition of censorship would mean the ability to use pornography that abuses of children, disabled people and vulnerable people… the government does not agree with this drastic position,” he told parliament in reply to a PQ.
In response to Mifsud Bonnici, the Front said: “The abolition of censorship has got nothing to do with the exploitation of vulnerable communities because despite the censorship approved by the State, such exploitation is still being carried out. The minister’s argument is irrational.
“The minister also stated his government has a moderate approach to legal reforms on censorship, but threatening people with imprisonment if they artistically convey themselves in a shocking manner does not constitute a so-called ‘moderate approach’,” the Front said in reference to the charges filed by the police against Mark Camilleri, 21, editor of the university pamphlet Realtà, for publishing a fictional short-story that was deemed to be obscene.
The Front welcomed steps by the education ministry on a draft document that will also include, amongst other things, a reform of censorship laws. In a statement, the Front said it hoped the draft document will be accepted by both sides of the House, and said that it applauded Labour MP Owen Bonnici’s intention to present a private member’s bill to abolish censorship “in the near future”.
The Front said that censorship on the grounds of ‘obscenities’ and ‘vilification of religion’ were “facets of an authoritarian and a theocratic state”.
A document of legal proposals will soon be presented by the Front to parliament during a national protest in Valletta, which is still being planned between the 22nd and the 24th February.
Apart from independent citizens, the Front is made up of: Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh, Forum Zghazagh Laburisti, Kollettiv Ir-Realtà, General Workers Union Youths, Unifaun Theatre Productions, Moviment Graffitti, Zminijietna, MOVE – Progressive Students, Pulse.
In a statement issued yesterday, the newly constituted executive committee of the Institute of Maltese Journalists called for an update on laws affecting freedom of expression, that would better reflect EU laws, and that would remove criminal liability.
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