Journalism and Political Communication – Task 2

Task 2

Journalism and Political Communication – Task 2

1. Introduction

Under Malta's one of the most strictest legal systems in Europe, abortion is strictly forbidden under all circumstances, including those involving rape, incest, or dangerous foetal defects. Malta's complete prohibition makes it the only EU member state with such stringent abortion regulations.

Context

Due to changes in public opinion and international movements supporting reproductive rights, the abortion debate in Malta has accelerated significantly in recent years. When Andrea Prudente, a 38-year-old American citizen, was refused an abortion in June 2022, despite having a burst membrane at 16 weeks of pregnancy, it was a turning point. This occurrence sparked a lot of public discussion and brought attention to the possible health hazards connected to Malta's restrictive abortion regulations.

In June 2023, the Maltese government passed legislation allowing abortion only in cases where a woman's life is in danger in response to mounting public pressure. However, according to the legislation, a woman must be in danger of dying; a health concern alone is not enough, and the treatment can only be carried out with the approval of three experts. Pro-choice activists contend that the law is still unduly restrictive, while pro-life organisations see it as an essential safeguard. This development has further polarised the debate.

Purpose

In order to determine if political communication has met the goals of both pro-choice and pro-life organisations, this research will examine how political communication has influenced public opinion surrounding abortion in Malta. The paper aims to comprehend the factors impacting the abortion issue in Malta by looking at the function of the media, political discourse, and public campaigns.

2. Political Communication and Public Opinion

Malta's political, religious, and cultural environment have a significant impact on public opinion towards abortion. Malta has historically taken a strong anti-abortion position, with laws that forbid the procedure in all situations. The Catholic Church, which has been a strong opponent of abortion, is largely responsible for this stance. The Church's official website, for example, cited a survey that found that "70% [of Maltese people] oppose abortion if the mother's life is not at risk."

Recent occurrences, however, have spurred discussion and started to change attitudes. International attention was drawn to Malta's stringent abortion regulations by the case of Andrea Prudente, an American visitor who experienced potentially fatal pregnancy complications while there. After being refused an abortion that could have saved her life, Prudente said, "I simply want to get out of here alive... Never in my wildest nightmares could I have imagined such a nightmare."

Discussions between Maltese citizens and policymakers were triggered by this episode. "We need to ensure that doctors are given the peace of mind that they can act to safeguard the mother's health," said Prime Minister Robert Abela, acknowledging the need for legislative certainty. Bernard Grech, the leader of the opposition, voiced his concerns, highlighting the significance of "protecting both the mother and the unborn child."
Public opinion has been significantly shaped by media outlets. MaltaToday, for instance, reported on a survey showing that although the country is still largely anti-abortion, attitudes are clearly changing, particularly among younger people. The poll found that "a significant 58.4% of 16- to 35-year-olds believe that abortion should be legal in certain circumstances."

Political communication has also been used by activist groups to sway public opinion. A local NGO called Moviment Graffitti has been outspoken in its support of abortion, claiming that "abortion is essential healthcare." Organisations such as Life Network Malta, on the other hand, support the preservation of unborn life by highlighting the "right to life from conception."
In conclusion, although the general population in Malta has historically held conservative views on abortion, current developments and active political dialogue from a range of stakeholders are fostering a slow shift in viewpoints.

3. Vested Interests and Ownership

A complex interaction of entrenched interests, from the government and religious institutions to NGOs and political parties, is revealed by the abortion debate in Malta. The Catholic Church, which promotes stringent anti-abortion laws, has considerable sway. To uphold Malta's anti-abortion position, church-supported groups like Life Network Malta promote the "protection of life from conception" and cooperate with political organisations (Life Network Malta, n.d.). As stated by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, "We cannot save the mother by killing the child" (Newsbook, 2023), he has continuously opposed any relaxation of abortion regulations.

As a result of Catholic influence and popular opinion, the Maltese government has generally been cautious when it comes to abortion. A moderate approach was taken by Prime Minister Robert Abela, who emphasised that modifications to the abortion regulations should prioritise giving physicians clarity while honouring Malta's cultural traditions. Bernard Grech, the leader of the opposition, on the other hand, emphasises the need to "protect both mother and child" and is more in line with pro-life rhetoric (BBC News, 2023).

NGOs are essential in influencing public opinion. Moviment Graffitti and other pro-choice groups push for legislative change by portraying abortion as a medical and human rights concern. "Abortion is essential healthcare," which they said, sums up their approach to defying conventional wisdom (Moviment Graffitti, 2022). Pro-life NGOs, on the other hand, use religious ideology and grassroots initiatives to rally opposition to abortion.

4. The Agenda and Its Satisfaction

According to the agenda-setting theory, political and media organisations shape the public agenda by drawing attention to particular topics (McCombs & Shaw, 1972). Abortion has become a crucial issue in Malta for both pro-choice and pro-life organisations, each of which uses different political communication techniques to further its goals.

Pro-Choice Agenda

Pro-choice groups like Moviment Graffitti and Doctors for Choice work to change Malta's strict abortion regulations, which forbid the operation in all situations. These organisations advocate for change and increase awareness through political communication. The statement "abortion is essential healthcare," for example, is emphasised by Moviment Graffitti, highlighting the need for safe and legal abortion services. The need for easily available treatments is further demonstrated by the rise in Maltese women seeking medical abortions through international organisations, which went from 78 in 2017 to 509 in 2021 (BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 2023).

Pro-Life Agenda

Life Network Malta and other pro-life organisations fight to uphold the nation's total prohibition on abortion. By planning protests and spreading ideas that are consistent with Malta's historic values, they make use of political communication. Proposals to modify abortion regulations, for instance, have sparked widespread protests, with participants calling on the government to cease its intentions to loosen restrictions (Reuters, 2022). The Catholic Church, which has considerable sway over public opinion and policy decisions, frequently works with these organisations.

5. Effectiveness of Political Communication in Shaping Public Opinion

In Malta, political communication initiatives have had a major impact on public opinion regarding abortion, resulting in slow shifts in sentiment. Malta's Catholic tradition has always had a significant role in its anti-abortion position. But according to recent surveys, public sentiment is starting to change. MaltaToday reports that "61.8% of respondents remain opposed to abortion under any circumstances, but 27.8% support it in specific cases, and 8.3% agree with abortion regardless of the situation" (MaltaToday, 2022). 40.4% of people between the ages of 16 and 35 favour abortion in specific situations, making this movement particularly noticeable among younger populations (MaltaToday, 2022).

Social media has developed into a potent advocacy tool. Abortion stories are shared by pro-choice groups such as Doctors for Choice Malta in an effort to combat stigma and false information. According to a spokeswoman of the group, "Social media allows us to amplify our voices and ensure the issue remains on the public agenda" (Civicus, 2023). Using internet forums to generate public support, activists have also called attention to international norms in an effort to overturn Malta's stringent abortion regulations.

Legislative debates in Parliament have been influenced by political communication. "Doctors must have the legal certainty to act in the best interests of the mother" (Context News, 2022) was Prime Minister Robert Abela's statement in support of clear abortion regulations. These assertions demonstrate how communication tactics shape national discourse.

Nonetheless, public opinion is still shaped by deeply ingrained religious influence. According to the Times of Malta (2022), "70% of adults oppose abortion when the woman’s life is not at risk" (a survey commissioned by the Archdiocese of Malta). Another important factor is media coverage, where some sources reinforce prejudices that support political views. "58% of people would not vote for a political party proposing abortion," according to a recent study, underscoring the divisive nature of the topic (Independent, 2023).

6. Conclusion

Political communication has had a significant impact on Malta's abortion debate, influencing public and legislative opinion. Pro-choice organisations have effectively opposed the country's stringent abortion laws through public demonstrations and social media, highlighting particular instances overseas and advocating for reform. However, with the help of the Catholic Church's significant influence, pro-life organisations have managed to stay strong through community involvement and traditional media. Malta's conservative stance on abortion has been reinforced by this.

Despite these coordinated efforts, the majority of people still reject abortion; according to a 2022 MaltaToday study, 61.8% of people are against abortion in all situations. Younger groups, however, show a noticeable change, indicating that pro-choice communication tactics are progressively gaining traction. A major, if constrained, legislative shift was made in June 2023 when the parliament unanimously decided to allow abortion when a woman's life is in jeopardy.

Sources:

· Doctors for Choice Malta, n.d. Abortion law. [online] Available at: https://www.doctorsforchoice.mt/abortion-law[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· European Youth Portal, n.d. Turning point: Malta - the story behind new abortion legislation. [online] Available at: https://youth.europa.eu/news/turning-point-malta-story-behind-new-abortion-legislation_en [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· The Guardian, 2023. Malta to allow abortion, but only when woman’s life is at risk. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/28/malta-to-allow-abortion-but-only-when-womans-life-is-at-risk[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Church.mt, n.d. 70% oppose abortion if mother’s life not at risk. [online] Available at: https://church.mt/70-oppose-abortion-if-mothers-life-not-at-risk/ [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· MaltaToday, 2022. Malta anti-abortion nation, but opinion is shifting. [online] Available at: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/data_and_surveys/118089/maltatoday_survey_malta_anti_abortion_nation_but_opinion_is_shifting[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Moviment Graffitti, 2022. Abortion is essential healthcare. [online] Available at: https://www.movimentgraffitti.org/2022/09/25/abortion-is-essential-healthcare-moviment-graffitti/ [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· BBC News, 2023. Malta to allow abortion, but only when woman’s life is at risk. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63650476 [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· MaltaToday, 2022. Andrea Prudente case: No country for pregnant women. [online] Available at: https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/comment/blogs/117554/andrea_prudente_case_no_country_for_pregnant_women[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Voice for Choice, 2023. Press release: Bill 28 has become a law that may kill women. [online] Available at: https://www.voiceforchoice.mt/post/press-release-23-06-2023-bill-28-has-become-a-law-that-may-kill-women[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Net News, 2024. The Maltese government should declare that it is not in favour of abortion. [online] Available at: https://netnews.com.mt/2024/04/16/il-gvern-malti-ghandu-jiddikjara-li-mhuwiex-favur-id-dhul-tal-abort/ [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Illum, 2023. Ma jagħmilx sens li ngħidu li biex issaħħa t-tal-mara tkun tajba noqtlu tarbija. [online] Available at: https://www.illum.com.mt/ahbarijiet/politika/67190/ma_jagmilx_sens_li_ngidu_li_biex_issaa_talmara_tkun_tajba_noqtlu_tarbija_filuf[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Newsbook, 2023. Archbishop opposes introducing abortion to save the mother. [online] Available at: https://newsbook.com.mt/mhemmx-ghalfejn-nintroducu-l-abort-biex-insalvaw-l-omm-l-arcisqof/ [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Life Network Malta, n.d. Advocacy. [online] Available at: https://lifenetwork.eu/advocacy/ [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Farrugia, M., 2023. Women’s rights and the Maltese abortion debate. [online] Available at: <Insert hypothetical article source>.

· BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, 2023. Characteristics of women and pregnant people in Malta self-managing medical abortion: A retrospective analysis of service user data. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health, [online] 49(3), pp.176. Available at: https://srh.bmj.com/content/49/3/176 [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Reuters, 2022. Protests in Malta as parliament debates abortion amendment. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/large-demos-malta-parliament-debates-abortion-law-2022-12-04/ [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Times of Malta, 2022. Almost 70% of Maltese oppose abortion when woman’s life is not at risk. [online] Available at: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/almost-70-of-maltese-oppose-abortion-when-womans-life-not-at-risk.1002670 [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Civicus, 2023. People should be able to access abortions locally without the risk of criminalisation or stigmatisation. [online] Available at: https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/news/interviews/6214-malta-people-should-be-able-to-access-abortions-locally-without-the-risk-of-criminalisation-or-stigmatisation[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Context News, 2022. Why is Malta’s move to ease total abortion ban so divisive? [online] Available at: https://www.context.news/socioeconomic-inclusion/why-is-maltas-move-to-ease-total-abortion-ban-so-divisive[Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Independent, 2023. 58% of people will not vote for a political party that proposes abortion – survey. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2023-03-23/local-news/58-of-people-will-not-vote-for-a-political-party-that-proposes-abortion-survey-6736250601 [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, 2023. Need to reform abortion law in Malta. [online] Available at: <URL needed> [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Tremlett, G., 2023. Abortion debate in Malta: Between progress, Catholic morality and patriarchy. Green European Journal. [online] Available at: <URL needed> [Accessed 21 January 2025].

· Vassallo, M., 2023. Accessing abortion in a highly restrictive legal regime. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. [online] Available at: <URL needed> [Accessed 21 January 2025].