½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ

Statement by ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ's Gender Equality & Sexual Diversity Committee Re: dissemination of content through mass media

[ENG]

The University of Malta Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity Committee fully supports recent concerns raised by the Malta Women's Lobby regarding the public endorsement of individuals who disseminate misogynistic and regressive content through mass media. When influential figures use their platforms to ridicule women’s contributions in the labour market or question the legitimacy of equality movements, they perpetuate harm that extends far beyond words, reinforcing discrimination and silencing women’s voices in public life.

Public broadcasters have a duty to uphold fairness, integrity, and respect for human rights. Providing airtime to those who promote prejudice under the guise of “free speech” or “balance” undermines these principles. Freedom of expression must never be used to justify the public funding or amplification of hatred. In a democratic society, misogyny is not a legitimate viewpoint: it is a violation of equality and dignity. Those who spread such views should not be granted a platform, especially on state-funded media meant to serve all members of society.

[MLT]

Il-Kumitat għall-Ugwaljanza bejn is-Sessi u d-Diversità Sesswali tal-Università ta’ Malta jappoÄ¡Ä¡ja bis-sħiħ it-tħassib riÄ‹enti mqajjem mill-Malta Women’s Lobby dwar individwi li jxerrdu kontenut misoÄ¡inistiku u regressiv permezz tal-mezzi tax-xandir. Meta figuri influwenti jużaw il-pjattaformi tagħhom biex iwaqqgħu s-sehem tan-nisa fis-suq tax-xogħol jew biex jiddubitaw il-leÄ¡ittimità tal-movimenti għall-ugwaljanza, dawn ikomplu jagħmlu ħsara li tmur lil hinn mill-kliem, billi jsaħħu d-diskriminazzjoni u jxekklu l-vuÄ‹ijiet tan-nisa fil-ħajja pubblika.

Ix-xandara pubbliÄ‹i għandhom dmir li jżommu l-Ä¡ustizzja, l-integrità u r-rispett għad-drittijiet tal-bnedmin. Li jingħata ħin ta’ xandir lil dawk li jippromovu l-preÄ¡udizzju taħt l-iskuża tal- “libertà ta’ espressjoni” jew tal-“bilanÄ‹” idgħajjef dawn il-prinÄ‹ipji. Il-libertà ta’ espressjoni qatt m’għandha tintuża biex tiÄ¡Ä¡ustifika l-amplifikazzjoni tal-mibegħda. F’socjetà demokratika, il-misoÄ¡inija mhijiex opinjoni leÄ¡ittima, hija ksur tal-ugwaljanza u d-dinjità. Dawk li jxerrdu dawn il-fehmiet m’għandhomx jingħataw pjattaforma, speÄ‹jalment fuq mezzi tax-xandir iffinanzjati mill-istat li suppost iservu lill-membri kollha tas-soÄ‹jetà.