Casa: Government interference in public broadcasting is a threat to democracy

In his address to the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, MEP David Casa warned that government interference in public broadcasting posed a threat to democracy.

“To strengthen democracy, we need to bolster the independence of the free press.”

Casa addressed a debate on the situation of journalists and the implications on the rule of law.

“The EU Commission noted that there is a significant and direct influence by the Maltese government on the public broadcaster.

“This is unacceptable.” 

He was referring to the Malta chapter of the European Commission’s 2022 Rule of Law report, which cites expert opinion that “consistently considered the independence of public service governance and funding to be an area presenting very high risk, given that ‘the government has a significant and direct influence on public service media structures’”. 

“We need to strengthen the rules and mechanisms to enhance the independent governance and editorial independence of public service media.”

As Co-Chair of the Media Working Group of the European Parliament, Casa has for years campaigned for better laws and better protections for journalists and the press. He thanked European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova for her work in this regard.

In April, the EU Commission published a proposal for an anti-SLAPP Directive, followed by a proposal for a European Media Freedom Act in September.

“This will bolster the independence of the public broadcasters and ensure greater transparency in government funding of the media.