Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/779073
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 JANUARY 2017 News A serious newspaper is always in search of rejuvenation and the tradition of experience, which is why MaltaToday's new year starts with the appointment of a new face, and an old hand, to a senior editorial position. Female editors are not new at MaltaToday, but Miriam Dalli is the first to take the helm of its online presence, MaltaToday. com.mt. "When she joined the news- paper in 2010 at the start of the newspaper's internet presence, Miriam excelled herself in the job, and she became the inevita- ble choice to be assistant online editor," says Matthew Vella, who has anchored both online and the print edition. "She is now MaltaToday's news- room manager, one of the best journalists around, and as online editor she will be spearhead- ing plans to shift the traditional online product to a more digital and social-media friendly news outlet." As executive editor, Matthew Vella retains responsibility to set the tone and standard for both online and print edition, where he retains control of MaltaTo- day's Sunday edition, together with deputy editor Jurgen Balzan, who is editor of MaltaToday's Wednesday edition. Managing editor Saviour Balzan said 2017 is an exciting time for MaltaToday, with a year that in- cludes new audiovisual projects and newspaper campaigns: "We are entering our 18th year with a great team, which is part of an osmosis of ideas that has kept the ideals of MaltaToday at its core: a dedication to democ- racy and human rights, good governance and social justice. We have found that our dedica- tion to well-researched, quality stories is well received by readers who dislike lazy, 'copy-and-paste' reporting." With an election now planned for March 2018, MaltaToday's efforts will be geared towards digital investment, analytical re- search and polling led by senior journalist James Debono, and an effort for higher standards. "We want to be agenda-setters and provide unbiased news, and we want to keep writing about the crises that aff lict Malta, such as the state of the environment, inequality, governance, and mi- gration. To do this also requires an approach to the news that is based on fairness, constant com- munication with people and po- litical leaders, ethics, and cour- age," Matthew Vella said. This year MaltaToday has in- vested in its audiovisual output, where a stronger push towards video and social media, and mak- ing print a more attractive offer- ing to readers, will keep guiding the newspaper's strategy. "This newspaper has the back- ing of a large number of people who toil in its administrative, advertising, design, and digital support departments," Saviour Balzan said. "Being a newspaper in an age where online news low- ers costs but also dividends, de- mocratises the sources of news, and often misleads readers, is be- coming a more complex business. But we are excelling at reaching targets and achieving success, and the future is bright." New editorial posts at MaltaToday in a year full of new challenges Standing from left: James Debono, Jurgen Balzan, Yannick Pace, Matthew Agius, Paul Cocks, Tim Diacono, Jeanelle Mifsud, Miriam Dalli. Seated from left: Saviour Balzan and Matthew Vella. Missing from photo: Rachel Zammit Cutajar, Chris Mangion, and James Bianchi