maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2014
14
News
They threaten us with libels
We fight back with the truth
The late MaltaToday journalist Julian Manduca was behind the first investigation into the
Jumbo Lido scandal, before journalist James Debono followed up the story, to reveal the
curious and unorthodox decisions taken by the previous administration on this property
on public land in Sliema. In 2006, libel proceedings were instituted by Peter Fenech, a well
known lawyer and political activist. In 2012, the Maltese courts awarded him damages
amounting to €18,000, and legal fees that amounted to just under €7,000. In 2014, the
appeals court confirmed the sentence against MaltaToday. The case is now being heard
in the Constitutional Court. Every year MaltaToday, together with other newspapers,
face countless defamation cases from individuals from the political world. Independent
journalism is under serious threat. With the present press laws and the stand taken by the
Maltese judiciary to penalise the press, Malta's fourth estate faces an awkward future. If
you really care, support us now by making a small contribution so that we can take these
cases to the European Court of Human Rights.
If you would like to contribute to our
libel fund, do so now, by writing to:
MaltaToday Libel Fund, Mediatoday,
Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann - SGN9016
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