Malta’s Cry for Freedom

Filmmaker: Charlie Young (ORTV)

EU member Malta has tough censorship rules and a conservative approach to free speech.

Malta’s constitution defines it as a Catholic state. Divorce is forbidden, public blasphemy is an offence, and art and literature that would not raise an eyebrow in other EU states can lead to censorshiop and even jail for authors.

Mark Camilleri, a student, care-worker and editor of a left-wing magazine, is on trial because in October 2009 he published a fictional short story with sexual content. The director of the university banned that edition of the paper and reported him to the police. 

“I published a story which was deemed to be obscene and pornographic by the police so they took me to court for it.” he says.

The case has put Camilleri at the vanguard of a movement for change. He has launched the Front Against Censorship which campaigns to bring Malta’s laws in line with the rest of the EU.

This film follows him in the build up to his trial. It explores his case and follows his campaign, meeting others engaged in the censorship battle as well as many who maintain a stiff opposition.