NEWS | Wednesday, 06 February 2008

Stifling freedom of expression

Saviour Balzan, Managing Editor of MediaToday, the company that publishes MaltaToday, MaltaToday Midweek, Illum and Business Today, yesterday challenged Labour Deputy Leader Michael Falzon to ask the courts for a speedy decision on the most recent libel cases he filed against the newspapers MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek.
Balzan expressed his preoccupation at the way libel cases are filed by politicians with the sole intent of stifling freedom of expression.
The recent two libel cases filed by Michael Falzon against the two newspapers hit out at a news report that was completely factual.
The news story revealed how in December Falzon went on a hunting trip to Romania. On their return back to Malta the bags of the delegation, except Falzon’s, were confiscated since Veterinary officials wanted to carry out bird flu tests on the bird skins. Falzon’s bag did not contain skins and was thus released from Customs.
The report was factual and also carried Falzon’s comments.
“MaltaToday has nothing to be afraid of. Now that the election date has been set we ask Michael Falzon to present a writ for the courts to hear the two libel cases with urgency so that they will be decided upon before the elections. If Dr Falzon believes that he is right, he should find no problem in accepting this request,” Balzan said.