Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542585
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 14 JANUARY 2026 NEWS Equality Commission condemns Ricky Caruana for allowing sex offender to justify his actions THE National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has condemned Ricky Caruana for allowing a convict- ed sex offender to justify his actions on his podcast, as they called for his removal as a PBS TV presenter. For the past few days, Carua- na has come under fire for his willingness to act as a reputa- tion launderer of Justin Haber, who was convicted of sexually harassing a minor he employed in his restaurant. During the hour-long pod- cast, Caruana questioned none of Haber's claims on the abuse case, unintentionally aired the names of a victim and witnesses involved in the court case, and stated that it is alright to see 15 and 16-year-olds as attractive. Speaking to MaltaToday, Caruana continuously defend- ed Haber, insisting that he didn't touch or rape the vic- tim. Haber was found to have slapped the minor's buttocks and even kissed her on the lips, but Caruana never brought this up. In a statement on Tuesday, the NCPE stressed that grant- ing media space to a convicted abuser exacerbates this imbal- ance and contributes to the re-victimisation of the survivor. The NCPE reminded that cases of sexual harassment, particularly in employment contexts, are defined by a clear power imbalance between the perpetrator and the victim. "Moreover, such actions have a negative social impact, as they discourage other victims from reporting their cases and con- tribute to the normalisation of abuse." The NCPE reminded that Caruana has previously en- gaged in misogynistic behav- iour. Last October, the same commission and the Malta Women's Lobby slammed PBS for providing prime airtime to Caruana despite a record of so- cial media posts that ridicule women and trivialise sexual harassment. "The NCPE reiterates its call to the relevant authorities to ensure that individuals in pub- lic roles uphold standards of correctness and refrain from causing social harm." The commission noted that people who occupy public roles should be held to standards of correctness and accountability. It stressed that those working in broadcasting and other in- fluential public sectors carry heightened responsibility due to their impact on public atti- tudes and perceptions. "Where such individuals fail to uphold these standards, they should no longer occupy public roles nor receive public fund- ing." The remark on public fund- ing is likely a reference to the advertisement bought by gov- ernment on his podcast. Dur- ing the episode with the sex offender, multiple government ads were aired. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Ricky Caruana invited Justin Haber, a convicted sex offender, to a casual discussion about his case Family of man with rare leukaemia treatment blasts 'blackmail' by air ambulance company THE family of a man who needs to be treated for a very rare form of leukaemia have stated that they are being blackmailed by an air ambulance company that wishes to squeeze every cent possible from the family. In a Facebook post on Tues- day, Abigail Borg, the wife of Sandro Grech, said that her husband was supposed to be on the way to China for his treat- ment by now, but they were never picked up from the air- port. Sandro is a 41-year-old father who has been fighting leukae- mia for three years. "This delay isn't our fault, it's the consequence of the air am- bulance company's actions," his wife said. Abigail explained that after paying the necessary fees, the air ambulance company re- quested another €80,000 and tried to force her into signing an agreement which made no sense. She claimed that the agree- ment included her issuing a false public declaration and surrendering her right to any extra fees that she paid. "This money belongs to the people of Malta. This is noth- ing more than blackmail." Sandro's family had col- lected €368,000 through a crowd-funding campaign where over 10,000 people gave donations. Government con- tributed €250,000 of the raised funds. Abigail added that the air ambulance company even re- sorted to attacking the Maltese High Commissioner in London for helping Sandro. "Our lawyers have already informed them [the company] that we will hold them person- ally responsible for every hour delayed and every risk posed on Sandro because of their tac- tics." She said that they are working day and night with authorities so that Sandro, who is current- ly in hospital, may have other options. "I am confident that the Maltese authorities will never bow down to this com- pany's threats," Abigail said. She thanked government and the family's lawyers for their endless help, and assured the public that they will continue fighting. Sandro is a 41-year-old father who has been fighting leukaemia for three years