New editorial posts at MaltaToday as newspaper plans new projects

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 newspaper in 2010 at the start of the newspaper’s internet presence, Miriam excelled herself in the job, and she became the inevitable choice to be assistant online editor,” says Matthew Vella, who has anchored both online and the print edition.

“She is now MaltaToday’s newsroom manager, one of the best journalists around, and as online editor she will be spearheading 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 MaltaToday’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 includes 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 democracy and human rights, good governance and social justice. We have found that our dedication 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 research 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 afflict Malta, such as the state of the environment, inequality, governance, and migration. To do this also requires an approach to the news that is based on fairness, constant communication with people and political leaders, ethics, and courage,” Matthew Vella said.

This year MaltaToday has invested in its audiovisual output, where a stronger push towards video and social media, and making print a more attractive offering to readers, will keep guiding the newspaper’s strategy.

“This newspaper has the backing 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 lowers costs and dividends, democratises the source of news, and often misleads readers, is becoming a more complex business. We are constantly excelling at reaching targets and achieving success, and the future is bright.”