RTK journalist Karl Wright new Journalists’ Institute chairman

Calling it a day after 14 years at the helm of the Institute of Maltese Journalists, outgoing chairman Malcolm J. Naudi will be replaced by RTK journalist Karl Wright.

Wright was uncontested for the chairmanship post.

Addressing the institute’s annual general meeting – for which a total of 10 male members were present – Naudi said it was time to make way for fresh blood in the hope of attracting a new way of doing things.

“Technology has changed the way journalists and the media work but their role and influence remain strong, adapting to society’s needs,” he said.

Naudi said the IGM’s members worked well together, surpassing all expectations. He added that positions taken by IGM were always based “on principle” and its core values were ethics, education and professionalism.

“We want journalists to be ethical in their job, aware of their role as communicators and improve standards.”

During 2014, the IGM held two separate meetings with the government, one with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and a second with then government spokesman and whip Carmelo Abela.

The IGM urged the government to remove criminal libel from the national statute books. The Labour administration is reportedly now set to publish a white paper during 2015.

Following repeated calls by the IGM for specific journalism courses at tertiary education, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has kicked off talks with MCAST and courses will now be offered as from October 2015.

In a follow up meeting on 3 November, Abela – who had not yet been appointed defence minister – had discussed the possibility of IGM issuing valid press cards as opposed to such press cards being issued by the Department of Information.

The AGM heard members present urging the IGM to continue pushing and convince owners of media houses to send representatives during IGM meetings.