The Maltese Parliament has approved a Bill criminalising revenge pornography and removing religious vilification from Maltese law.
The Bill also regulates the licensing of sex shops and pornography.
The Bill, which amends various sections of the Criminal Code, provides that any pornographic material may be displayed in places that are not considered to be a ‘public place’ and states that a ‘public place’ “shall not include a place to which the public are permitted to have access only on payment which is or includes payment for the said display, or to a shop or establishment, or to any part of such shop or establishment, to which the public can only gain access by passing beyond an adequate warning notice.”
Nevertheless, the law also provides four exclusions whereby such pornographic material can be displayed in public, provided that no minors are permitted to enter while the display in question is continuing, such as for-example in the display of an art gallery or museum.
On the other hand, whoever displays or permits to display any pornographic material in a public place shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than €1,000 and not more than €3,000.
