Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party is calling on the government to change its archaic laws on censorship, whilst being stronger against hate crimes.

“Censorship is not only a breach of individual rights but an anachronistic legacy which can be used arbitrarily to repress artists and minorities whose lifestyle or opinions do not conform to the views of hegemonic institutions.”

AD also called for the replacement of the censorship board with a classification board whose job should be that of issuing ratings. AD is also calling on the university authorities to lift the ban on newspaper Ir-Realta. It is ironic that whilst a lot of controversy was in place on this newspapers, nothing was said against organisation SDM which interviewed Norman Lowell and published his racist beliefs on the internet.

“Universities should always be at the forefront of freedom of speech in literature, the arts and political opinion. A university which takes prides in the development of information technology is banning a political newspaper simply because it contained an explicit literary piece not very different from literary texts found in the university library. We also believe that ir-Realta’ could have made it clear that the literary piece in question was a literary piece, and not something else.”

“AD is also calling tougher legislation against hate crimes such as racism and xenophobia, irrespective of the religious, political or cultural belief in question. This is essential in a society based on pluralism and respect of diversity.”

AD is also calling for a revision on the laws on obscenity.

“While decency should be always respected in public places, this should not be used as an excuse to censor artistic manifestation held in appropriate place or literature which is sold or distributed to adults.”

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