freedom of the press

• in March 1839, the Maltese were given freedom of the press:

  this meant that:

  • censorship was removed
  • the Maltese could print and sell flyers
  • the libel law was introduced by the government to protect citizens from defamation
• In the time of the order of St John, there was no freedom of the press

  • Up until 1839, no one could print anything without the permission of the Colonial government
  • Only the government had a printing press
  • To be able to print something, you had to receive government censorship
• Why did the British wait 39 years to give the Maltese freedom of the press?

  The reign of Naples was against granting freedom of the press. They could use Malta to attack Naples and the British did not want this to happen
• Why did the British wait 39 years to give the Maltese freedom of the press?

  The Catholic Church in Malta was afraid of being attacked. In 1836, the Bishop protested against the granting of freedom of the press and hence the Vatican agreed
• what type of newspapers were being printed?

  • official newspapers published by the government
  • political newspapers published by political parties
  • Satiric newspapers that tackled politics and religion in a satirical manner
  • religious newspapers published by the church
• In what languages were these newspapers being published?

  Maltese, English and Italian.

  some examples of all:

  English:

  • Public opinion
  • the Malta Chronicles Maltese:
  • Il- Bandiera ta' Malta
  • il- Ħatar Italian:
  • L'Asino
  • Il Dritto Di Malta
• Freedom of Press in Malta was introduced during the time of Governor Bouverie


  1839
• Comitato Generale Maltese of Mitrovich and Sciberras


  • Worked in favor of the introduction of the Freedom of Press
• Church and the King of Naples


  • Were against the introduction of Freedom of Press in Malta
• The editor of The Harlequin had to go to jail because of the libel law
• Professor Sciortino was sacked from University because he was the editor of a newspaper that attacked the British Colonial Government