Malta

Last update: February, 2015

The supreme law of Malta is the Constitution of Malta, which supersedes any national law which might be inconsistent with it. It is pertinent to mention that the two main obligations within the realm of culture, which the state is required to put into practice when implementing legislation, are contained in the Declaration of Principles (Chapter II of the Constitution of Malta):

Article 8:"The State shall promote the development of culture and scientific and technical research" and

Article 9:"The State shall safeguard the landscape and the historical and artistic patrimony of the nation." These declarations validate the provision of legislation placing culture at the apex of the State's priorities.

Last update: February, 2015

Public funds for culture in Malta are allocated annually according to the Financial Estimates published and announced to Parliament by the Minister responsible Finance. All departments and institutions receiving public funds are guided by financial codes and are subject to scrutiny by the Office of Auditors. There are currently 7 different Ministries or Parliamentary Secretariats and the Office of the President operating public funding programmes for the cultural and creative industries with the Culture Directorate within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government acting, wherever possible, as monitor, fund manager, co-fund manager or observer. Streamlining of public funding programmes and further consolidation is envisaged in the proposed cultural governance structure (see chapter 7.1.3 for more information on government expenditure).

Last update: February, 2015

All persons who are in employment, who work freelance or are self employed fall within the framework of the general legislation for social security. Thus, every person who has attained the age of sixteen, but not yet retired, shall be insured under the Act as either of the above. By implication, the corresponding social security schemes for the respective workers applies and in turn entitles such persons to a pension, sickness benefits and social assistance. A large number of artists are registered as self-employed and those who do not earn sufficient income from such engagements find that Social Security Act does not cater for the specific needs of freelance artists. Currently, most artists are not represented by an association in order to promote their needs not has it been conceived to devise a collective agreement that may address the difficulties artists face. As a result, there is no body or organisation that can lobby for such needs and interests. With regards to the cultural and creative industries, to semi-professionals employed in the public sector, the Budget 2008 speech announced that they "will now be able to request leave without pay for a definite period of time in order that they may develop or work on artistic projects."

Relevant cultural policy action:

The MCCA in consultation with the Ministries of Culture and Finance shall develop an action plan dedicated to the promotion of the status of the artist. This shall consider issues of social security, tax incentives and other areas which are conducive to creating a culture of professionalism within the arts. The above bodies shall also coordinate with the government entities responsible for Intellectual Property matters in order to strengthen the safeguards provided by intellectual property rights, as well as to ensure that the redistribution mechanisms arising from the collection of royalties of artworks are fully functional.

Last update: February, 2015

VAT in Malta is 18%. Taxation measures for the cultural sector in 2011 encompassed the following:

• payment of VAT on the renting of space for artistic and cultural activities, as well as on entrance tickets for museums, art exhibitions, concerts and theatres (with the exclusion of cinemas) is 5%(introduced in 2008);
• all training in the arts shall be exempt from VAT, as long as this will be provided by organisations which are accredited in the Register for Accreditation in the Training of the Arts (introduced in 2008);
• companies that provide financial assistance to recognised non-profit-making cultural organisations and/or to the Arts Fund will be able to deduct these grants from their taxable income(introduced in 2008);
• companies that provide assistance or grant scholarships to Maltese artists will be entitled to deduct these grants from their taxable income up to a maximum of EUR 18 600(introduced in 2008);
• a deduction against income to be made by a taxpayer who in a particular year of assessment makes a donation of money, or any other asset, excluding immovable property, of the value of not less than 2 329.37 EUR to: the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage; Heritage Malta; Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti or NGOs under the condition that a relevant certificate is issued by the recipient and submitted together with the return for the relevant year that the donation is used for the purpose of research, conservation or restoration, education and exhibition of the heritage; and in the case of donations to non-governmental organisations registered with the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage and not related to the donor company. (introduced in 2004);
• a rebate system of 20% was introduced to boost foreign film productions. According to the scheme, a production company filming in Malta is entitled to a rebate of up to 20% of its production costs once the commitment is fully undertaken (introduced in 2004). This incentive was increased to 27% in 2014;
• fiscal benefits for qualifying costs to make it easier for eligible Maltese authors to publish their literary works (introduced in 2010);
• tax credits to cover qualifying costs spent on computer animation, special effects, films and television programmes, as well as production services (introduced in 2010); and
• fiscal benefits for qualifying costs spent on interactive digital media products and qualifying costs spent on sound recording houses, including costs incurred to bring productions to Malta (introduced in 2010);
• "Create" is a tax incentive programme for the businesses in the cultural and creative industries. Further support is provided to help the development of creative communities in artistic zones thus sustaining the development of said zones and interdisciplinary creative cluster developments. Undertakings including self-employment involved in the creative industry may benefit through this incentive which will be in the form of a tax credit. The aid will be calculated as a percentage of the eligible costs incurred by these undertakings in the development of their creative endeavours. Malta Enterprise may approve a tax credit equivalent to 60% of the eligible expenditure up to a maximum of EUR 25 000. Create provides additional benefits related to creative work undertaken in identified creative zones. As from 2012 the whole territory of Valletta will be included in the identified zones. Presently this scheme is considered to be under review. Legislation on income exemption on Patents was extended in 2012 to cover works protected by copyright, including books, film scripts, music and art. This benefit will consist of a tax exemption on income from copyright;
• a tax credit scheme for Maltese companies wishing to commission educational or promotional digital games for which credit was granted on the expenditure incurred on the development of the game or on a maximum expenditure of 15 000 EUR;
• to attract more experts in these specialised sectors to Malta, government extended the flat 15% income tax scheme for international professionals such as game directors and game designers. This scheme has also been extended to academics and researchers in the research and development sectors;
• an innovative scheme for self-employed persons registered as authors, composers, visual artists and performing artists, film artists and design artists was designed to entice artists to live and work in the City of Valletta. This measure has not yet been implemented; and
• for restoration and conservation works of scheduled buildings in grades 1 and 2, as well as properties in UCAs:
  • exemption from Duty on Documents on transfers between heirs in order to facilitate the consolidation of property ownership, with this concession closing on 31st December 2013;
  • a scheme for private individuals who wish to restore their property where a rebate of 20% will be given on the costs of restoration up to a maximum of EUR 5 000;
  • concessions to individuals or companies who invest in the restoration of these properties to sell or rent were given as follows:
    • final withholding tax of 10% on income from rent for residential purposes, and 15% on income from rent for commercial purposes;
    • final withholding tax of 10% in the case of a sale or the payment of 30% tax instead of 35% on the gain; and
    • a tax credit of 20% on the expenditure that qualifies for restoration of property for the commercial purposes of the company and this will increase to 30% in the case of grade 1 and 2 scheduled properties.

Measures announced in 2013:

• a Creativity Trust set up to leverage public and private funds for further investment in the cultural and creative industries through investment and national funding schemes, capital projects and funding structures; and
• a tax deduction scheme for parents of children under 16 who attend cultural or creative courses up to a maximum of EUR 100 per child.

Last update: February, 2015

See chapter 4.1.3.

Last update: February, 2015

Copyright in Malta is regulated by the Copyright Act, Chapter 415 of the Laws of Malta. The last major revision to this Act occurred in 2000 when Malta was on the brink of EU membership.

This latest embodiment of the Maltese Copyright Act brings together all international and European obligations, bringing Maltese law in line with international and European standards.

On the international front, works are protected by Copyright in Malta since Malta is a signatory to the Berne Convention (as revised), and the TRIPs Agreement, the Paris Convention, the Universal Copyright Convention, the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

The works that are eligible for copyright protection in Malta are:

• artistic works;
• audiovisual works;
• databases;
• literary works; and
• musical works.

The Copyright Act grants exclusive rights to the owner of the Copyright, which rights include the direct or indirect, temporary or permanent reproduction by any means and in any form, in whole or in part; the rental and lending; the distribution; adaptation; broadcasting or communicating to the public; and display or public performance. The exclusive rights apply to the totality or substantial part of the protected work, in its original form or any form recognizably derived from the original.

The Copyright Act also provides for the moral rights of authors, and for neighbouring rights. The latter has undergone recent developments with the promulgation of the Extension to Term Protection (Neighbouring Rights) Regulations in 2014. These Regulations transpose the EU's Directive 2011/77/EU to extend the term of protection for performers and sound recordings from 50 years to 70 years.

The 2004 Control of the Establishment and Operation of Societies for the Collective Administration of Copyright Regulations has overseen the establishment in Malta of the Performing Rights Society – PRS. The UK collecting society is present in Malta via an agent. Maltese PRS members had long argued about the distribution of royalties back to them, with PRS now implementing a more extensive system to scan broadcasts and keep a log of what is being played.

Apart from the provisions of the Copyright Act, Maltese law caters for the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and therefore copyright, by two additional acts of law. One of these acts is the Intellectual Property Rights (Cross-Border Measures) Act, of 2000. This Chapter 414 of the Laws of Malta is a widely-used piece of legislation as it lays down the procedures for Customs officials and rights holders alike to stop counterfeit and pirated goods at their point of entry into Malta.

When it comes to combating infringement, the second additional legislation is relied upon. This is Chapter 488 of the Laws of Malta, the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (Regulation) Act of 2006 which transposes Directive 2004/48/EC.

The Maltese Criminal Code also provides for offences related to Copyright infringement. Police officers from the Central Investigation Bureau have been receiving training from the International Federation of Phonographic Industries (IFPI). Training with the Economic Crimes Unit at the Malta Police Force is now an ongoing process, which is being provided by local experts who are concerned with the protection of copyright and commercial enterprises, particularly in pirated software and audiovisuals. Seminars on aspects of EU legislation and legal procedures are being provided to members of the judiciary and the Attorney General's office.

Last update: February, 2015

The Data Protection Act (Cap.440 of the Laws of Malta) transposes Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995, on the protection of individuals with regards to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data. It was completely brought into effect on 15 July 2003.  Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data in the electronic communications sector, was transposed under both the Data Protection Act and the Electronic Communications Act by virtue of LN 16 of 2003 (as amended) and LN 19 of 2003 respectively.

The information and Data Protection Commissioner is responsible for the protection of the individual's right to privacy by ensuring the correct processing of personal data.

It has now become standard practice for producers and organisers of performances and art workshops that include the participation of children and young people to release data protection forms for parents and guardians for publicity purposes.

Last update: February, 2015

The Protection of the Maltese Language Act was introduced in the autumn of 2003, paving the way for the setting up of the National Council for the Maltese Language in 2005. The Council regards the Maltese language as an integral part of the national heritage and is committed to its safeguarding, enhancement and proliferation in all sectors of public life.

Malta has also adopted legislation aimed at both public and private broadcasting. Article 13 (2) (d) of Chapter 350 of the Laws of Malta deals with the Broadcasting Act (1991) and declares that a proper proportion of the recorded and other matter included in the programmes should favour the Maltese language and reflect Maltese cultural identity. The latest legislative measure in the broadcasting sector was taken by virtue of Legal Notice 133 of 2002 in respect of a Broadcasting Code on the Correct Use of the Maltese Language in all the Broadcasting Media.

A new Law to Regulate, Protect and Develop the Native Language came into effect in October 2003. The legislation is expected to iron out problems relating to the translation of EU documents and will go a long way to establish proper criteria for the introduction and assimilation of "loan words" into the vernacular. The new law is also expected to compliment the terms of reference of the Translation and Law Drafting Unit that began operations in June 2001.

Since Maltese is as one of the EU's 23 official languages, all its legislative texts have to be translated and as it is an official language, the EU is also obliged to provide interpretation services into Maltese at many of its meetings, including those at Council, Commission and parliamentary level.

Since Malta joined the EU in 2004, the Maltese language has been the biggest employer of Maltese citizens in the EU institutions. The University of Malta has also set up undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Translation and Interpreting Studies to meet the strong demand for translators and interpreters in European Institutions.   

Last update: February, 2015

Intellectual Property Rights (cross-border measures) Act, Act VIII of 2000, was enacted to establish measures relating to the importation into Malta and the exportation and re-exportation from Malta of goods in contravention of intellectual property rights.

The Trademarks Act, Act XVI of 2000 amended in 2003, 2006 and 2007 was enacted to protect trademarks duly registered. The Act defines trademark to include "any sign capable of being represented graphically which is capable of distinguishing goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings. A trademark may, in particular, consist of works (including a person's name), figurative elements, letters, numerals or the shape of goods or their packaging." Although trademarks' primary utility is in matters to do with commerce and industry, the artistic feature of a trademark may have an immediate relation to the national culture, since by virtue of the Act, national symbols and emblems are protected from being registered as the property of any person.

Patents and Designs Act, Act XVII of 2000, authorises provision for the registration and regulation of patents and designs. Thus, such innovative inventions which fall within the realm of this Act that are considered susceptible to industrial application are therefore patentable. By virtue of the Act, inventions, whether of products or of processes, which are novel, have an inventive step and are capable of industrial application, may be patented. The Act also establishes the design rights that protect the whole or a part of a product including the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture and, or materials of the product itself and, or its ornamentation.

Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (Regulation) Act, Act XX of 2006.

The Act provides intellectual property rights-owners with remedies in securing the evidence in preparation for and during proceedings in which they are safeguarding their rights. Therefore the Act provides remedies for evidence collection and preservation, precautionary measures for the safeguarding of one's rights, and a number of measures one may request the Court to order in its decisions.

Article 298 of the Criminal Code / (Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta)

When it comes to the criminal law offences against intellectual property rights, some Acts, such as the Patent and Designs Act, contain specific provisions for criminal action (Part XV of the Act). In turn, the Criminal Code, (Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta) makes provision to protect various Intellectual Property rights and provides for a number of criminal sanctions including imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year for the violation of copyright at a commercial level, and therefore for people who, for gain and by way of trade, carry out a number of identified acts. The Code also makes reference to intellectual property rights when making provision for commercial or industrial fraud, and thus condemns anyone guilty of the following illegal actions to imprisonment for a term from four months to one year:

• forging or altering, without the consent of the owner, the name, mark or any other distinctive device of any intellectual work or any industrial product, or knowingly;
• making use of any such name, mark or device forged or altered, without the consent of the owner, even though by others;
• forging or altering, without the consent of the owner, any design or model of manufacture, or knowingly makes use of any such design or model forged or altered;
• knowingly making use of any mark, device, signboard or emblem bearing an indication calculated to deceive a purchaser as to the nature of the goods, or selling any goods with any such mark, device or emblem; or putting on the market any goods in respect of which a distinctive trade mark has been registered, after removing the trade mark; or applying a false trade description to any goods;
• knowingly putting into circulation, selling or keeping for sale or importing for any purpose of trade, any goods bearing a fraudulent imitation of any mark, device or emblem; and
• knowingly making, keeping or transferring to any person, any die, block machine or other instrument for the purpose of forging, or of being used for forging, a trade mark.

Last update: February, 2015

Cultural legislation in Malta dates back to the mid 1920s, when the colonial government issued a number of ordinances, passed by the Antiquities Protection Act of 1925, and other pieces of legislation to establish the National Library, the National Archives and local libraries. Regulations are contained in:

• the Ordinance on Public Libraries (1937) as expressed in Chapter 92 of the Laws of Malta, amended several times between 1955 and 1981;
• Act IV of 1990, which regulates the National Archives;
• the Environment Protection Act (2001) re-enforced efforts to protect and conserve, interalia, landscapes (including historic centres) through the establishment of an Authority to advise the Ministry responsible for culture;
• the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts Act (2001) introduced a structure that replaced the Department of Culture (created in 1987) to administer and fund creative events, including an annual arts festival. Subsidiary legislation under the act:

1. S.L. 444.01 Cinema and Stage Age-Classification Regulations
2. S.L. 444.02  Creativity Trust Order
3. S.L. 444.03 Age-Classification of Cinematography Films (Fees) Regulations

• Chapter 421, Crafts Council Act and S.L 421.01 expresses measures to safeguard and develop the interests of artisans (e.g. crafts, trades, skills and industries) producing works reflecting national identity;
• in the media sector, the Broadcasting Act of 1991 assured the right for plurality and the democratic right for information, besides guaranteeing the need for qualitative, educational programming;
• the Protection of the Maltese Language Act (2003); and
• Specific legislation for arts education includes S.L 327.436 Statute for the School of Performing Arts within the University of Malta and S.L. 327.437 Malta Academy for the Arts Order;
• the Cultural Heritage Act (2002).

Last update: February, 2015

In 2001, Parliament passed a Cultural Heritage Act to promote improved management, conservation and restoration of the national cultural heritage. It guarantees greater public accessibility and appreciation of Malta's cultural treasures and ensures cultural and educational benefits for future generations.

It provides for the following entities to take over from the Department of Culture:

• the Superintendent, which will (a) establish, update, manage and publish a national inventory of cultural property; (b) exercise surveillance over cultural property; (c) excavate and monitor excavations and (d) advise the Minister responsible for Culture;
• Heritage Malta and Heritage Gozo, responsible for ensuring that museums and other heritage property on the sister islands are conserved, restored, administered and managed in the best way possible;
• the Committee of Guarantee, created to enable and facilitate the collaboration between the different agencies with direct responsibility for the protection and management of the cultural heritage sector; and
• the National Archives, laid down by the National Archives Act of 1990, ensure that all documents of a public nature, which are no longer in use for the purpose of administration, shall be properly preserved and made reasonably accessible to the public for the purpose of study and research.

In 2006, the National Archives and the Libraries Department became two separate entities. According to a new legislation, the National Archives has become a government agency intended to "protect collective memory". Moreover, a Council for National Archives was created in the same year, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education.

Last update: February, 2015

Levies on blank tapes were introduced by the Ministry of Finance in 1994. This was regarded as a positive step by the audio-visual sector, but retailers maintain that more drastic action is needed to counter piracy, especially in music.

VAT can be reclaimed for a one time purchase on a musical instrument.

The Public Theatres Regulations was enacted as far back as the 26 July 1899. These regulations lay down certain procedural norms that need to be observed by theatres in possession of a licence for the building to be declared as such.

Following numerous incidents on censorship and a human rights case on infringement of freedom of expression in 2009 the Minister responsible for Culture announced a thorough review of the classification as part of the 2011 cultural policy.

The subsidiary legislation outlining the stage and film classification stipulates that producers are empowered to give their own age classification for stage productions. The legislation gives the power to the Minister to appoint a board, to be known as the Guidance Board to:

• draft guidelines, and update them from time to time, to be consulted by the person responsible for determining the age-classification in deciding the appropriate age-classification to assign to their productions;
• upon the written request of the person responsible for determining the age-classification, give its recommendation, in writing and in a timely fashion, as to which age-classification would be suitable for the dramatic and other stage production in question; and
• receive complaints and grievances by any member of the public who feels aggrieved or offended by any dramatic or stage production.

See also chapter 2.1.

Last update: February, 2015

No specific legislation exists, but an Act of Parliament in 2002 expressed measures to safeguard and develop the interests of artisans (e.g. crafts, trades, skills and industries) who produce works reflecting national identity.

The Artists' Resale Rights Regulation was enacted on the 14 August 2006 and establishes that the author of a work of art in which copyright subsists, subject to certain conditions contained in the said Regulations, enjoys a resale right to a royalty on any sale of a work or art which is a sold subsequent to the first transfer or ownership by the author. This right is unalienable and cannot be waived, even in advance.

Last update: February, 2015

The Ordinance on Public Libraries has been in existence since 1937, as expressed in Chapter 92 of the Laws of Malta. It has been amended several times between 1955 and 1981, while the Act IV of 1990 regulates the National Archives.

In 2004, the government announced the creation of the Local Councils' Public Libraries Development Committee, with the aim of helping to coordinate the administration of local and regional libraries. An Online Public Access Catalogue has been installed in all libraries to make tracking books easier and more efficient.

In 2006, according to new legislation, the National Archives and the Public Libraries Department became two separate entities and a National Archives Council was created for consultative reasons, but was not given executive power.

In addition to the National Library, there are 8 regional and 49 local libraries in Malta, all lending books at no charge and most of them administered by the local councils. Authors do not receive any remuneration for the loan of their works.

It has been agreed that the Councils make an annual contribution for the provision of new material.

The National Library allows up to 10% of any historical volume to be reproduced for research purposes. This procedure is included in the Quality Service Charter, published in 2001.

In 2009, fiscal benefits were introduced for qualifying costs to make it easier for eligible Maltese authors to publish their literary works.

In 2011, the Malta Libraries Act was enacted to establish a new legal entity under the responsibility of the National Librarian to ensure the collection and conservation of Malta's documentary heritage for present and future generations, to maintain and develop Malta's libraries and to encourage reading for study, research, self-development and lifelong-learning information and leisure purposes.

Last update: February, 2015

Film, video and photography

In 2005, the Malta Film Commission was set up through Chapter 471 for the promotion, development and support of the audiovisual industry, including the film servicing industry, in Malta, through the office of the Film Commissioner.

In 2014 the Government of Malta upgraded the cash rebates for filmmakers making the financial guidelines more attractive to the film industry. Productions that satisfy a cultural test can benefit from a rebate of up to 25% of eligible expenditure with an additional 2% if the production features Malta culturally. Qualifying productions are required to present a provisional application to the Malta Film Commission, including a detailed projection of the Malta budget for the production. The rebate is given once filming is complete and on receipt of the audit report and upon final review by the Commissioner, the cash rebate is forwarded to the qualifying production no later than five months from the date of receipt of the presented production expenditure in Malta.

Feature films, Television films or Television Series or Mini-Series, Animation, Creative documentaries, Transmedia and Crossmedia productions are all eligible for the incentives, provided that they are all or partially produced in Malta.

The age-classification of films is carried out by the Film Board as stipulated in S.L 444.01 under the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts Act. In the previous legislation, film classifiers had to report to the Commissioner of Police "whether having regard, in their discretion, to public morality, decency or propriety, or to the public interest, the film to which the application refers may or may not be passed for exhibition with or without any suppressed parts".

The new legislation shifted the responsibility from the Commissioner of Police to the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and focused exclusively on film classification without any authority to censor or ban any audiovisual works or part of.

Films are classified into one of the following categories:

• "U" - UNIVERSAL. Suitable for all.
• "PG" - PARENTAL GUIDANCE. General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
• "12A" - Suitable for persons of 12 years and over: Provided that persons younger than 12 years may attend only when accompanied by an adult.
• "12" - Suitable only for persons of twelve years and over.
• "15" - Suitable for persons of fifteen years and over.
• "18" - Suitable only for persons of eighteen years and over.

Mass media

All policy regulations related to broadcasting in Malta are the responsibility of the Malta Broadcasting Authority. Formal laws are enacted through Parliament. The 29 September 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the Broadcasting Authority through the Broadcasting Ordinance of 1961. It was set up under an Executive Council with an Interim Constitution during a period when a new constitution for Malta was being prepared allowing for a measure of self-government and recognizing the State of Malta.

The Broadcasting Ordinance of 1961 was modelled on the Independent Television Authority of 1954 at that time in the UK, which was created to supervise the creation of Independent TV (ITV), the first commercial television network in the UK.  However, the Broadcasting Authority was also given the power to produce its own radio and television programmes, while it also had to annually invest GBP 10 000 and GBP 25 000 in qualitative programmes that were to be broadcast on both the services licensed to its two contractors: Rediffusion (Malta) Ltd. and Malta Television Service Ltd.

The proposed Legal Notice 158 on Broadcasting Regulations in Malta reserves an unspecified majority (not a specific proportion) of transmission time for European works. This applies to all public and private TV-stations but does not cover radio. Government also allocates a specific fund for TV and Radio programming to the public broadcaster as public service obligation for culture, current affairs, entertainment, sports and children's programming.

The Broadcasting Act of 1991 (amended several times between 1993 and 2001) stipulates that public broadcasting in the Maltese islands should provide high quality programming across a full range of public tastes and interests. The Act declares that public broadcasting has "a particular duty to provide programming of an educational and cultural nature", and stresses the need for local preference.

On 1 January 2001, the Malta Communications Authority was set up to liberalise and regulate telecommunication services. While the onus of broadcast content remained the prerogative of the Broadcasting Authority, telecommunication licences including those for radio frequencies in the UHF Band and digital terrestrial television broadcasting had to be endorsed by the Malta Communications Authority which took over the operations of the Wireless and Telegraphy Department.[1]

[1]  Axiak M (2011) 50 Years or service http://www.ba-malta.org/the-authority

Last update: February, 2015

The Environment Protection Act (2001) re-enforced efforts to protect and conserve, inter alia, landscapes (including historic centres) through the establishment of an Authority for the Environment and Planning, to advise the Ministry for the Environment as well as the Ministry responsible for Culture.

In June 2006, the government issued a draft document for consultation called Operational Programme 1: Cohesion Policy 2007-2013. Priority Axis 7, contained in the Document, refers to urban regeneration and improving the quality of life and lists the following objectives:

• to upgrade the physical environment and visual appeal of urban cores, including the restoration of fortifications;
• to encourage local development and village enhancement measures; and
• to enhance environmental monitoring capability and awareness of environmental issues.

The focus areas of intervention, as expressed in the draft document, refer to urban regeneration (including the social context), in view of the need to prepare for Malta's European Capital of Culture in 2018, revitalise town centres, as well as protect, rehabilitate, regenerate and enhance local character.

From 2008, 0.25% of the expenditure in projects of a capital or infrastructural nature must be spent on works of art, infrastructure connected with the creative spheres or on other creative projects.