on the Broadcasting Media Regulations, 2010

L.N. 180 of 2010

BROADCASTING ACT

(CAP. 350)

Code on the Correct Use of the Maltese Language

on the Broadcasting Media Regulations, 2010

IN exercise of the powers conferred by articles 20(1)

(b) and 35 of the Broadcasting Act, the Broadcasting Authority,

in conjunction with the Prime Minister, has made the following

regulations

The title of these Regulations is the Code on the

Correct Use of the Maltese Language on the Broadcasting Media

Regulations, 2010.

Code on the Correct Use of the Maltese Language on the

Broadcasting Media

The title of this code is the Code on the Correct Use of

the Maltese language on the Broadcasting Media.

Broadcasters shall have the duty to use the Maltese

language correctly by

(a) understanding their responsibility in safeguarding

the Maltese language;

(b) complying with developments taking place in the

Maltese language, whether spoken or written, especially in

the case of journalists;

(c) ensuring that proper translations and adjustments

are carried out based on the fundamental principles of

translation;

(d) assisting persons who participate in a programme

and also stopping participants who do not use the Maltese

language correctly;

(e) monitoring programmes for the correct use of the

Maltese language, especially educational, informative and

children’s programmes;

(f) ensuring that the Maltese language used is of a high

level as to diction, semantics, grammar, syntax, morphology

and content;

(g) ensuring a good command of all the aspects of the

Maltese language so that the final result will be a unified one,

well linked and comprehensible;

(h) using with due care all neologisms which make

way into the Maltese language and, where possible, according

to the existing morphology of the Maltese language;

(i) using the Maltese language correctly without

recourse to archaic diction; and

(j) using words which are clear and easy to

understand.

Each station that broadcasts programmes in the Maltese

language shall be responsible

(a) to have its own consultant who holds a recognized

University degree in the Maltese language or who is

recognized by the Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti as

having the sufficient knowledge and experience in the use of

the Maltese language. In any case, the said consultant shall be

approved by the Broadcasting Authority;

(b) to follow the rules and directives issued by the

Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti in so far as the use of the

Maltese language is concerned;

(c) for the correct use of the Maltese language in every

broadcast in the Maltese language;

(d) to observe any condition imposed in a broadcasting

licence requiring that the Maltese language be used in a

proper manner; and

(e) to broadcast at least one programme over a period

of three consecutive months intended to advance the Maltese

language. The station shall inform the Broadcasting Authority

of the date and time of such broadcast and shall forward to the

Broadcasting Authority an electronic copy of the transmission

not later than seven days before the date of its transmission.

This programme shall not be of a lesser duration than half

an hour provided that it can be broadcast within a number of

segments in various programmes, which segments shall not in

their totality be less than half an hour.

The Broadcasting Authority shall be responsible

(a) to ensure that broadcasting stations and

broadcasters comply with their duties in terms of this Code

and the rules and guidelines on the safeguard and proper use

of the Maltese language;

(b) to enforce the rules in this Code in a systematic,

regular and consistent manner;

(c) to publicize its national language policy;

(d) to compile and publish, from time to time, reports

on the situation of the Maltese language in the broadcasting

media;

(e) to assist representative organisations in the

broadcasting sector to achieve their aim of self-regulation in

so far as language is concerned; and

(f) to engage monitoring personnel and to ensure

that these persons have a high level of understanding of the

Maltese language.

Nothing in these regulations shall invalidate any

applicable procedure whether written or oral which may have been

made by the Broadcasting Authority before the coming into force

of this Code.

The Broadcasting Code on the Correct Use of the Maltese

2002. language on the Broadcasting Media, 2002 is hereby repealed.

€0.28