ABSTRACT
Malta’s media system belongs to the Mediterranean Model expounded by Hallin and Mancini, though it developed its own characteristics, particularly the extensive ownership of media organizations by political parties. This has hindered journalism from developing as an independent profession and consequently, self-regulation accountability structures are particularly weak. Media accountability, on the other hand, is relatively strong in the broadcasting sector. The commercialization of the print media brought along a market-driven concept of journalism in competition with the advocacy model adopted by the political media, but did not enhance the self-regulation structures. Online media are providing new avenues for citizen journalists who help to keep the media accountable. Recent statements by political leaders indicate the possible adoption of a stronger regulatory regime rather than self- or co-regulation structures.
