Statement by UM'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 g魔all-Ugwaljanza bejn is-Sessi u d-Diversità Sesswali tal-Università ta’ Malta jappo摹摹ja bis-s魔i魔 it-t魔assib ri膵enti mqajjem mill-Malta Women’s Lobby dwar individwi li jxerrdu kontenut miso摹inistiku u regressiv permezz tal-mezzi tax-xandir. Meta figuri influwenti ju偶aw il-pjattaformi tag魔hom biex iwaqqg魔u s-sehem tan-nisa fis-suq tax-xog魔ol jew biex jiddubitaw il-le摹ittimità tal-movimenti g魔all-ugwaljanza, dawn ikomplu jag魔mlu 魔sara li tmur lil hinn mill-kliem, billi jsa魔魔u d-diskriminazzjoni u jxekklu l-vu膵ijiet tan-nisa fil-魔ajja pubblika.
Ix-xandara pubbli膵i g魔andhom dmir li j偶ommu l-摹ustizzja, l-integrità u r-rispett g魔ad-drittijiet tal-bnedmin. Li jing魔ata 魔in ta’ xandir lil dawk li jippromovu l-pre摹udizzju ta魔t l-isku偶a tal- “libertà ta’ espressjoni” jew tal-“bilan膵” idg魔ajjef dawn il-prin膵ipji. Il-libertà ta’ espressjoni qatt m’g魔andha tintu偶a biex ti摹摹ustifika l-amplifikazzjoni tal-mibeg魔da. F’socjetà demokratika, il-miso摹inija mhijiex opinjoni le摹ittima, hija ksur tal-ugwaljanza u d-dinjità. Dawk li jxerrdu dawn il-fehmiet m’g魔andhomx jing魔ataw pjattaforma, spe膵jalment fuq mezzi tax-xandir iffinanzjati mill-istat li suppost iservu lill-membri kollha tas-so膵jetà.
