Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/553115
Despite his busy mid-summer schedule, prime Minister Joseph Muscat this week found some time to visit Mediatoday's offices in san Gwann, where he had a frank discussion with journalists from Maltatoday and illum. After being shown around the offices and introduced to all mem- bers of staff by managing editor saviour Balzan, Muscat took a seat around the table where edito- rial meetings are routinely held. A former journalist himself, the prime Minister keenly discussed the role of the media and the fine line between journalism and cam- paigning. Acknowledging the ever-chang- ing nature of the industry, Balzan stressed that unlike other media outlets, Maltatoday is an inde- pendent issue-oriented newspa- per which has consistently taken a centre-left and liberal stand on a wide variety of issues, ranging from civil rights to the environ- ment and from governance to eU accession. "We're not afraid of discussing taboo subjects," Balzan said, add- ing that the newspaper often tack- led issues which were not neces- sarily the most popular. On his part, Muscat drew a par- allel between the shifting land- scape in the media industry and the changes which the country has undergone in recent times. "the government's machinery is relatively small and its structures are set up to deal with a society which no longer exists. We don't have all the needed resources, you end up dedicating a lot of time to things which do not necessarily rake in money and you learn how to handle the different and evolv- ing traits of society," Muscat said. He also said the existential crisis facing all media outlets around the world is "where does campaigning stop and where does reporting start." Muscat added that the new sce- nario meant that both politicians and journalists "need to get grips on the situation." While saying that he's still on a learning curve on how to deal with the media, Muscat said that the media was "a bit too touchy". On a lighter but equally serious note, Muscat said that he had had a better relationship with Law- rence Gonzi than with his current political adversary, simon Busut- til. Answering a flurry of quick-fire questions, Muscat said he would "never" underestimate the oppo- sition and ruled out a Cabinet re- shuffle in the coming months. the prime Minister also dis- missed criticism that he some- times comes across as arrogant. "there's a fine line which is sub- jective according to the individual between assertiveness and arro- gance. i do not exclude that some people might see me as being ar- rogant but i believe that i'm being assertive." maltatoday, Sunday, 9 auguSt 2015 News Muscat visits MediaToday offices Managing editor Saviour Balzan and MaltaToday journalists at their meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat In this photo by Giuseppe d'Amico, a group of holidaymakers prepare to take a family selfie as a sandstorm builds up on Sliema's Tigné Point. After days of scorching sunshine, a thunderstorm struck Malta yesterday morning, bringing some relief from the August heat. A waterspout was spotted over Grand Harbour while heavy rain was reported across the island. A twister was reported over Rabat. August downpours, the 'gharajjex ta' Santa Marija', are fairly common in Malta at this time of the year and the Met Office has forecast further showers next week. But the storm yesterday was more violent than is the norm. PARAGLIDING INCIDENT PAGE 3 Santa Marija's surprise storm