Deepfake Bill in the Pipeline as Abela Backs Youth-Led Push for Safeguards Government will be tabling legislation to curb the improper use of deepfakes, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced during a discussion with teenagers at The Hub in Malta. He said the Ministry for Justice is reviewing existing laws to address the growing harm caused by manipulated content, describing it as an “ugly reality” requiring timely action. The proposal originated from ideas raised during a joint meeting of the National Youth Parliament and the Youth Advisory Forum, which Abela credited for prompting the move. The announcement was made during a Room4Ideas discussion focused on placing children at the centre of policymaking, where topics ranged from education to social media. Abela also confirmed that a Green Paper is examining possible restrictions on social media use for under-13s, stressing that while a total ban is not an option, inaction could place vulnerable people at risk. (Times of Malta)
PN Leader Urges Talks on Chief Justice and Raises Objections to Malta’s Peace Board Invitation Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg has called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to open discussions on the appointment of a new Chief Justice, insisting the role should not become a political football. Speaking at a political activity in Valletta, Borg said he is ready to meet Abela immediately and put forward more than one possible candidate, arguing the position must serve the interests of justice regardless of who is in government. He also objected to Malta’s potential participation in the Peace Board established by US president Donald Trump, saying the invitation only became public after a parliamentary question. Borg said Malta’s neutrality cannot be applied selectively and called for a parliamentary debate, warning of higher financial and political costs. He reiterated the party’s commitment to European values and said the PN is contesting the next general election to win. (TVM News)
EU Must Weigh ‘Tax on Geography’, Says Malta Business Bureau CEO The European Union should introduce “insularity tests” when drafting new legislation to ensure a fairer impact on islands and peripheral regions, according to Malta Business Bureau CEO Mario Xuereb. He said the Single Market remains the EU’s greatest achievement but still creates disproportionate challenges for Malta because of structural disadvantages linked to geography, which he described as a “tax on geography”. Xuereb said every directive should assess how islands are affected, noting that mainland Europe often struggles to grasp these realities. He added that Malta works with other island states to push this argument at EU level. Looking ahead, Xuereb said upcoming initiatives such as the Public Procurement Act, the Circular Economy Act and the Digital Omnibus should all be assessed through this lens to ensure genuine equal access for businesses across the Union. (The Malta Independent)
