Former St. Paul's Bay mayor awarded libel damages for One TV news story

A court has ordered Kurt Farrugia and Charlon Gouder from the One TV news team to pay former St. Paul’s Bay mayor Graziella Galea €2000 in libel damages for a news item in which it was alleged that she had not declared a conflict of interest in a tender for waste collection, awarded to a company owned by her uncle Joseph Vella.

Witnesses had told the court that, contrary to the allegations, when the topic was tabled for discussion, Galea had immediately declared the possible conflict of interest.

It emerged from testimony that all councilors present at the meeting had agreed that this declaration was not required, unanimously approving the bid tabled by Vella’s company.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale noted that although the comments were based on facts, it was apparent that the facts had not been reported correctly, giving an incomplete picture of the issue.

The defendants had not produced documentary evidence to prove that Galea’s declaration was not included in the minutes.

In addition, said the magistrate, an accurate reading of the law did not result in the existence of any obligation on her part to declare the possible contract of interest because Vella was her uncle by marriage.

The court declared that the comment did not constitute fair comment as it was based on incorrect information, which had been construed in such a way as to lead viewers to believe that this was a case of nepotism.