Malta has issued its new rules and regulations for this year's Junior Song for Europe 2004. Two main changes have drawn the attention of the possible entrants. These include the rules on the length of the song and the language used.

Rules and regulations for this year's Maltese selection for the Junior Eurovision are published on Maltasong's official website maltasong.com

The Maltese Junior Song For Europe 04 will be held on 24th September. Applicants are invited to submit songs in Maltese, in English or in a mixture of both. This is one of the major changes in the rules. Malta hasn't participated with a song in Maltese at the Eurovision Song Contest since 1973's “L-Imhabba” (Love) by Helen Micallef & Joseph Cutajar. A few phrases in Maltese were heard once again at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 when Claudette Pace sang her Desire

Another main rule is that all entries should respect the limit of not shorter than 2:30 and not longer than 2:45. This is also a drastic change seen that all Eurovision entries, including last year's Junior Eurovision, are usually set to a maximum-length of three minutes.

As in last year, Maltasong very distinctly states that it will have the final say in what the participants wear on stage both in Malta and in Lillehammer, Norway.

Anyone who doesn't follow the stated rules will have to pay a fine of Lm1000 (approximately EUR 2390)

Entries are to be submitted by Wednesday 28th July, noon. These will eventually be narrowed down by an experts-jury. Finalists will then be judged by another set of experts-jury; televoting; or a mixture of both.

Last year, Malta ended up 7th with Sarah Harrison's Like a star.