Recommendations not implemented: Ombudsman rules exclusion of Il-Leħen from media grant unjust and discriminatory

Recommendations not implemented: Ombudsman rules exclusion of Il-Leħen from media grant unjust and discriminatory

Published October 30, 2025

The complaint

Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija (AKM) lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman against the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, claiming that it was unfairly excluded from a government grant scheme intended to assist newspaper publishers with rising printing costs.

The organisation noted that, while several private media houses received substantial grants under this scheme, its newspaper Il-Leħen, Malta’s oldest still-published newspaper, was denied any support. AKM maintained that this decision amounted to unjust and discriminatory treatment.

The investigation

The Ombudsman sought clarification and documentation from the Ministry regarding the basis for excluding Il-Leħen from the scheme.

Officials confirmed that six media houses benefited from the €500,000 grant. The allocation was based on a formal agreement signed on 1 October 2023, which described the initiative as a measure “in the interest of freedom of expression and the press.”

When asked why AKM had been excluded, the Ministry replied that Il-Leħen did not publish “current news” and was therefore not considered a “newspaper” for the purpose of the scheme. It also claimed that “lifestyle and opinion articles are not defined as journalism,” citing the fact that Il-Leħen is a Sunday publication.

However, the Ombudsman found this reasoning inadequate and flawed. Journalism, he observed, encompasses far more than daily news reporting, it includes commentary, cultural, educational, and religious content that contributes to public discourse and civic awareness. The exclusion of Il-Leħen on this basis was not supported by any objective criteria.

The investigation further highlighted that Il-Leħen, formerly Leħen is-Sewwa, is officially registered with the Department of Information as a recognised newspaper and has been in continuous publication since 1928. Its Christian orientation does not alter its status as a media outlet nor diminish its contribution to Maltese public life.

Once the Government decided to grant financial aid to the press sector, it was obliged to treat all legitimate media entities equally and without bias based on content or editorial focus.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The Ombudsman concluded that the Ministry’s decision to exclude AKM from the media support scheme was unjust, discriminatory, and lacking in objectivity.

He recommended that the Ministry provide financial assistance to AKM on the same proportional basis applied to the other six media houses under the October 2023 agreement, and to ensure that future schemes adhere to transparent and non-discriminatory criteria.

Outcome

The Final Opinion was sent to the Ministry on 27 May 2025, allowing one month for a reply on implementation.

On 27 June, the Ministry requested an extension of another month, which later lapsed without further communication.

Following reminders sent on 20 August, the Ministry stated only that the case was being discussed internally and with other stakeholders.

With no concrete feedback forthcoming, the Ombudsman referred the case to the Prime Minister on 3 September 2025, and, after no action was taken, forwarded it to the House of Representatives on 9 October 2025 in accordance with Article 22(4) of the Ombudsman Act.