The Department of Information was established by the British Colonial Administration in 1939. This office served as the centre for war-related information in Malta until the end of the Second World War in 1945, when it was completely closed following the dissolution of the Ministry of Information in the United Kingdom. Eventually, a Public Relations Office was set up, and three years later, it was merged with the Government Tourism Office. However, in 1955, the need was felt to re-establish an information office to consolidate all information services previously provided by various government departments. Therefore, the Information Centre (C.O.I) was established, taking over from the Public Relations Office. By 1957, its role had grown so much that it evolved from an information office into the Department of Information and Tourist Services. Within a few months, the information services were separated from the tourism services, and the Department of Information as we know it today, was formed.

The primary aim of the Department is to provide the public with up-to-date, comprehensive, and valuable information about government policies, services, and activities, as well as matters of public interest. The Department plays an active role in both national and international events held in the country. Among national events, notable mentions include general elections, council elections, referenda, state visits, informal visits, appointments, and state funerals. On an international level, the Department is involved in the accreditation of journalists, media management during events, and the dissemination of written and photographic material. The Department of Information takes pride in being involved in several commemorative  events, including Independence Day, Republic Day, Freedom Day, papal visits, royal visits, the historic summit between Bush and Gorbachev, the 5+5 Dialogue in Malta, the EU MED9 summit, and Commonwealth meetings.

The Department also maintains an archive of photographs and films dating back to 1959, just a few years after its setting up. This archive includes numerous photos and films of significant events, such as Independence Day, Republic Day, Freedom Day, Malta's accession to the European Union, Papal visits, and elections. These photos and films were taken by the Department's own employees, and in fact the Department still holds the negatives and original film reels. The Department also possesses some films and photographs dating back to before its establishment. The general public can view these photos by contacting the Department and being guided on from there. A number of films and photo negatives are being converted into digital format. This is an extensive and ongoing project, carried out with great dedication to ensure these treasures are preserved for future generations. Once the process is complete, they will be made available to the public.

In addition to photographs and films, the Department has an archive of all Government Gazettes published since 1813, all Press Releases issued since 1957, and various other publications previously released by the Department, such as Malta Review, MaltaToday, and Pajjiżna. These are accessible to the public by appointment.

In 2015, the Department of Information decided that, due to the costs of paper, printing, and postage, the Gazette would no longer be available in printed form but would be solely available online on the Department’s website, www.doi.gov.mt. In fact, nowadays, fewer than twenty-five  copies are printed—not for public consumption, but for record-keeping purposes—and these are kept by the Department of Information and the National Library of Malta and Gozo. The same applies to statements, which are no longer printed and archived physically, but are instead stored digitally and are also accessible online at www.gov.mt

In an era where life revolves around social media, the Department recognised the need to provide the public with factual and efficient information, especially regarding health and safety notifications. This became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Department served as a focal point for public inquiries and updates about legal notices related to pandemic restrictions. The Department’s social media channels also issue safety alerts, such as those for fires in public places, and other information that should reach as many people as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the Department’s social media section develops weekly content plans, conducts research, and gathers relevant information, including photos from the photography section, which also provides photos and even drone footage tailored for these platforms.

Contact with the Department of Information can be made in various ways. A person can visit the Department directly at 3, Pjazza Kastilja, Valletta, for personal assistance, or reach out via phone on  2200 1700, by email at [email protected], or through the Department's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DOImalta/

The Department’s website contains various sections that provide the public with updated and comprehensive information, such as details about the Prime Minister's office, Ministries, and other government-appointed entities; statements issued by the Department on behalf of the Ministries; the Government Gazette, which includes government and official entity notices, employment opportunities, tenders, road closures, and court notices. Information about Malta, the use of national flags and symbols, and a section on events offering information about government services and resources for the media, are also available.