Ministerial asset declarations move branded a blow to transparency The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life has described a Cabinet decision on ministerial asset declarations as a setback for transparency and accountability. Writing to the Prime Minister earlier this month, the Commissioner said ministers’ declarations for 2024 were not submitted in the usual manner and were never forwarded to his office. Instead, ministers used the general declaration form for MPs, which is less detailed, following a Cabinet decision to adopt a single form for all parliamentarians. The Commissioner said this change effectively eliminates the specific ministerial declaration system that had been in place for years and warned it weakens public scrutiny of those holding executive power. (The Malta Independent)
Courts unprepared for rise in AI deepfake cases, expert warns Malta’s courts are not equipped to deal with cases involving AI-generated deepfakes, according to IT specialist and court expert Keith Cutajar. While no such cases have yet reached the courtroom, Cutajar said it is only a matter of time before hyper-realistic fake videos, images or audio become central to criminal proceedings. He warned that IT literacy among judges and magistrates remains limited, with some still viewing deepfakes as a distant or futuristic threat. Cutajar also highlighted the growing misuse of claims that genuine digital evidence was fabricated using AI, a tactic known as the “liar’s dividend”, which risks undermining trust in digital proof altogether. (Times of Malta)
Enemalta unveils nine-year plan to modernise electricity network Enemalta has launched an ambitious nine-year plan aimed at strengthening and modernising Malta’s electricity distribution system. The strategy includes major infrastructure investment, new distribution centres and additional connections to support economic growth and rising energy demand. Speaking at a press conference, Enemalta executive chair Ryan Fava said five new distribution centres are expected to come online by June, with a total of 15 new centres planned by 2035, including two in Gozo. The expansion will bring the total number of centres to 41 nationwide. The plan also includes an internal distribution centre at Mater Dei Hospital to ensure more stable and reliable power supply. (TVM News)
