Above all, Laurence was a man of integrity, evident in the respect he earned across the political spectrum, the trust of his readers, and the many journalists who followed in his footsteps. He will be missed.
PEN Malta is saddened by the passing of Laurence Grech, a towering figure in Maltese journalism whose integrity and principled voice helped shape public discourse for decades. Laurence’s dedication to truth, fairness and the highest standards of journalism has been lauded by all.
The crisis in Venezuela can only be resolved through dialogue led by Venezuelans themselves, with the support of multilateral institutions acting to prevent escalation, protect civilians, and uphold fundamental rights.
Peace, justice, and freedom of expression must remain inseparable.
Authoritarianism and human rights abuses can never be used to justify colonialist aggression or the use of force by external powers.
We reaffirm our commitment to non-violence, the defence of free expression, respect for international law, & the pursuit of peaceful solutions to political conflicts.
At the same time, we firmly reject any form of foreign military intervention or coercive action that violates international law, undermines national sovereignty, or places civilian lives at further risk.
We condemn the repression, censorship, and political persecution carried out under Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule, which has caused immense harm to Venezuelan society and silenced critical voices.
PEN Malta expresses deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Venezuela and the grave risks faced by writers, journalists, and all those imprisoned for exercising their right to free expression.
PEN Malta ssellem il-memorja ta’ dan il-persunaġġ prominenti fil-qasam letterarju Malti u tgħaddi l-kondoljanzi lil dawk qrib tiegħu.
Fost l-unuri li ngħataw lil Palma nsibu t-titlu Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia li ngħatalu mill-Kap tal-Istat Taljan għat-traduzzjoni ta’ Dante. Palma kien ukoll ingħata Ġieħ ir-Repubblika. Palma kien ukoll rumanzier u poeta.
PEN Malta tesprimi s-sogħba għall-mewt ta’ Alfred Palma. Palma jibqa’ magħruf għat-traduzzjonijiet tiegħu tax-xogħlijiet ta’ Shakespeare u d-Divina Commedia.
At PEN Malta, we believe that truth is not a privilege granted by regulation but a fundamental obligation of anyone who exercises power over others.
Our President Immanuel Mifsud's Op-Ed today on Times of Malta
timesofmalta.com/article/trut...
📢 Laqgħa Annwali PEN Malta 2026
🗓 It-Tlieta 3 ta’ Frar 2026
🕖 19:00
💻 Online: penmalta@gmail.com biex tirreġistra
🗳 In-nomini għall-karigi kollha qed jintlaqgħu sal-20 ta’ Diċembru 2025.
🗳 Call for nominations
Nominations are open for:
President | Vice-President | Secretary | Treasurer
& Executive Committee members
📧 jeanpaul.borg@gmail.com / keith.bg@gmail.com
⏰ Deadline: 20 December 2025
✍️ Authors, journalists, artists & activists welcome to join PEN Malta
It is alarming that, more than six years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, some public officials appear to have learned nothing about the dangers of targeting journalists for doing their work.
Micallef’s statement goes beyond what is acceptable in a democratic society. His use of multiple images of journalist Christine Mamo singles her out and demonises her, exposing her to harassment and abuse. Such conduct by a public official is utterly unacceptable and irresponsible.
The Ta’ Qali gravel and regeneration is in the public interest, both where it comes to the direct order and whether public money has been used responsibly or wasted.
Journalists are not only entitled, but obliged, to ask such questions.
PEN Malta condemns the statement issued by Jason Micallef attacking a Newsbook journalist. Micallef is a public official, paid from public funds, and as such has a duty to answer questions posed by journalists when these concern matters of public interest.
timesofmalta.com/article/jaso...
Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Culture cannot be used to whitewash abuse.
We urge Malta’s government to withdraw from the contest and stand with the broadcasters who have already chosen principle over complicity.
Europe’s cultural institutions must not be silent.
PEN Malta is outraged by the EBU’s decision to allow Israel to participate in Eurovision 2026.
Russia and Belarus were rightly barred for violating international law, yet Israel is given an exception despite authoritative findings of grave human rights violations in
timesofmalta.com/article/isra...
PEN Malta pays tribute to the memory of Arthur Gruppetta (1944–2025), a figure who played a major role in Malta’s literary history. Gruppetta established Merlin Publishers, which grew from a small bookshop into a publisher of many writers in Malta. Condolences to his family.
PEN Malta issellem il-memorja ta' Arthur Gruppetta (1944-2025), figura li kellha sehem kbir fl-istorja letterarja ta' Malta. Grupetta stabilixxa Merlin Publishers, minn ħanut żgħir tal-kotba għal pubblikatur ewlieni ta' tant kittieba f'Malta. Kondoljanzi lill-familja tiegħu.
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
Every time we recall this episode and others like it, we must renew our commitment to the right of free expression.
This means that what happened eight years ago must not be allowed to die as well. Yet this should not be merely a remembrance or commemoration; otherwise, we would be disrespecting the work and sacrifice of Daphne and of other journalists who have gone through the same tragedy.
It probably had to be this dreadful event that made us come to our senses and showed us that when we say “the truth hurts,” we might mean two things: it troubles those whose sins are being exposed, and it can literally hurt those, like Daphne, who end up giving their lives to deliver it.
—but not in the interest of the corrupt.
Most likely, before the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, we hardly paid attention to the dangers that freedom of information and expression might carry.
Eight years ago, we were shaken by a tragedy that had no precedent in Malta. Eight years ago, someone decided to carry out an assassination on a person who chose, instead of living a comfortable life, to risk her own safety in order to expose facts in the public interest
We appeal to our government and other EU leaders to stop their bigotry and duplicity and hold Israel to account for the gravest crimes against humanity.
Our governments and our representatives can no longer speak of Gaza and Palestine unless they follow up with the most severe sanctioning of Israel as it commits genocide on live TV.
In the last 22 months and before, Israel has behaved like a rogue state with total impunity, wiping out all of Gaza's universities, killing over 230 journalists, destroying hospitals and targeting civilians on a daily basis.