Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1178032
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2019 NEWS Malta Leading Through Innovation As the globe unites into one digital conti- nent, we must push ourselves into new paths of technology and be part of the digital transformation that will take us to the next decade. Today, the notion of technology and innovation driving productivity and economic growth is indisputable. What was before tainted with unre- alistic expectations and uncertainty is now at the top of the agenda of governments, international and private corpora- tions. The relentless surge of major tech- nologies such as Artificial Intelli- gence, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technol- ogy, Internet of Things, Big Data, and Cloud Com- puting has enabled a new and exciting synergy between government, industry and academia. Inevitably, such synergies require the proper nurturing and support in order to thrive and align themselves towards an integrated and unified objective. Created on the key priority fields of technology and innovation, Tech.mt will be pioneering the technology sector to another level. Tech.mt not only aims to elevate Malta's status as a quality Tech provider on both a local and international platform but also strives to act as the interlinking force between government, industry and academia. To realise Malta's vision to become a tech centre for innovative technologies, Tech.mt builds its strategy onto four main pillars – Promotion, Inno- vation, Talent and Assistance. In line with its mission, Tech.mt participated in the DELTA Summit, Malta's official Blockchain and Digital Innovation event held during the first week of October. With a drive to enhance the potential of the Technology industry in Malta, DELTA Summit presented Tech.mt with the chance to explore different business networks and engage with the global technology community, whilst serving as a great opportunity to promote Malta as the technology hub of choice and celebrate the country's favourable regulatory environment and its pioneering initiatives in the disruptive technology sector. This year Tech.mt also took over the organisation of ZEST, a conference and networking event within DELTA Summit focusing on digital disruption, innova- tion, and technology business. Tech.mt has successfully contin- ued the ZEST tradi- tion with inspiring keynotes, fiery debates, and engaging discus- sions featuring international experts and Malta's very own tech heroes. By exposing Malta's ecosystem and showcasing its potential, ZEST acts as a platform to reveal what opportunities the integration of technology can offer. Bringing together a global community of entre- preneurs, start-ups and investors, ZEST will always serve as a window of opportunity to generate new leads and build effective relation- ships and business ideas. We pledge to place Malta as the technology hub of choice. "We will be pioneering the technology sector to another level" Dana Farrugia, CEO - Tech.mt At Tech.mt we strongly believe that we should constantly expose our minds to this challenging digital evolution and involve ourselves in what we might not fully under- stand. Techmt.Contact@tech.mt @Tech.mtMalta https://tech.mt/ @TechmtMalta Tech.mt tech.mtMalta MATTHEW AGIUS Court Reporter THE NGO Repubblika's pursuit in court to suspend a raft of recent judi- cial appointments has demoralised the judiciary, a judge has told MaltaToday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the judge said the case, which attacks the judicial appointments made at the start of 2019 before the Maltese gov- ernment implemented recommenda- tions by the Council of Europe's Ven- ice Commission on the independence of the judiciary, has led to a "siege mentality" among judges and magis- trates. "I am convinced the source of Re- pubblika's complaint was the el- evation to the bench of Magistrate Nadine Lia, daughter-in-law of the government's lawyer Pawlu Lia, but should you destroy the entire judici- ary over it? "The issue is uncalled for. These are issues over principles, not ad homi- nem. Why create so much tension for us?" said the judge, a veteran elevated to the Bench prior to Labour's elec- tion. Malta's judiciary is vetted by a com- mission for judicial appointments which scrutinizes any application by a lawyer seeking appointment to the Court of Magistrates, but it is the Prime Minister who ultimately selects any of the suitable candidates as a member of the judiciary. "It's not a Maltese peculiarity," the sitting judge said. "This is something which also happens in leading Euro- pean democracies. Look at Germany or Denmark, all the judges there are appointed by politicians too. "I am disappointed at the way Re- pubblika's case has been handled and how it came about. It should not have been done. It is a political battle that should be fought in the court of public opinion, not here." He described the tactic of attacking all judicial appointments as "akin to using a hand grenade on a cockroach" – "if the current system is no good, and this after being approved by the European Commission, how much worse was the previous one? You can't just say that after a change is made, everything that happened before it is automatically wrong." The judge also insisted that it was unfair on the man on the street, fear- ing that the criticism attacking the recent appointments could paralyse the courts and cause delays to justice sought by ordinary citizens. "Let us work – I love my job but this issue is really demoralising." Repubblika case pursuing suspension of judicial appointments 'has demoralised judiciary', judge says Judiciary demoralised, judge says "If the current system is no good, and this after being approved by the European Commission, how much worse was the previous one?"