Defamatory libel in the Press Act, 1974 with special reference to the civil action

Abstract

The year 1642 marks the introduction into Malta of the first printing press. In fact Grand Master Jean-Paul de Lascaris-Castellar granted the requested permission of opening a small printing off ice in Valletta to Pompeo de Fiore, probably a Sicilian, on the 17th June, 1642 although he did not concede to him any exclusive privilege as originally requested. This permit was granted for twenty years and was transferable within the family. Before printing, every work had to obtain the approval of the Censor of the Order and this in the form of an imprimatur or cum suporiorum permissu or con licenza dei superiori printed on the front page. Non compliance with this provision carried with it the penalty of 500 gold scudi.