If A Satirical Page Gets Fined For Telling The Truth, We’ve Lost The Plot

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The admin behind Malta’s leading satirical Facebook page Bis-Serjeta is facing the possibility of one month in prison and a potential fine of €2,329 – why? Because apparently, a satirical page telling the truth is a threat to a criminal.

Calling a spade a spade

To be perfectly honest, it’s clear that something is wrong with this country when a page completely dedicated to satire and sarcasm becomes a trusted news portal. The distinction between a Times of Malta headline and a Bis-Serjeta headline is not as easily discernible anymore, but what was in the offending post?

Of course, as a satirical page, their posts are designed to set fire to already volatile situations. Do they cross the line sometimes? Maybe. But when there’s little to no impunity for certain classes of criminals, then someone needs to call them out for what they are. If they’re complaining about negative media treatment, maybe their client should have considered that blowing up a journalist in her car outside her home would reflect badly on him.

A man who does not deny having played a part in the assassination of a journalist is indeed a criminal. The various shady dealings and evidence of such point to more criminal behaviour. What the court case is trying to decide is who else had a role in these acts. There’s no question about Yorgen Fenech’s integrity – it simply does not exist anymore, and this proves it.

Where do we go from here?

Who knows, really? Maybe we’ll target April Fool’s next, because we’ve already taken aim and fired upon actors in costume. We’ve long since had issues in dealing with the truth in this country, and professional lawyers taking a satirical page to court for saying the truth is just the latest strike to an already frail justice system.

Activists who are trying to defend freedom of speech in this country have already spoken up in support of Bis-Serjeta. Karl Stennienibarra (a fake name in case someone doesn’t get it) has already offered Lovin’ Malta an envelope of €500 notes for coverage on his potential case. Maybe Fenech’s lawyers take issue with that too, even though it really happened.

Is Malta’s freedom of speech at the point of no return, or can it still be saved?

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