Malta Independent denies firing columnist due to pressure from PN leader

The Malta Independent has denied firing Noel Grima, its former weekly columnist, claiming the decision to end his weekly opinion article was based on editorial considerations.

The decision, the paper said, "was based on editorial considerations, which take place on a regular basis."

The statement came after the newspaper's former editor Noel Grima claimed on Facebook his column had been dropped due to pressure from Opposition Leader Alex Borg. He asked: "Can Noel, Miller, Steve and Andre deny there was pressure from Alex Borg to terminate my association?"

The Malta Independent claimed the decision came from editorial consideration

Grima said he had not been allowed to say goodbye to readers in the paper itself, so did so on Facebook instead. "Thanks for the long association over the years," he wrote. "Apologies for when I was wrong. I will try and continue writing."

The Malta Independent said that when it informed Grima of its decision this morning, it thanked him "for the many years during which he has contributed to the newspaper, first as its editor and later as a contributor."

It added that his "long association with the newspaper, and the contribution he has made to it over the years, are something that was appreciated."

In his post, Grima gave a fuller account of his years at the paper.

He drew a comparison with an earlier exit, stating that when Managing Director Noel Azzopardi let him go before, cost-cutting was given as the reason, only to discover he was the only cost that was cut. At the time, he was editing two papers at once and driving home to Mellieha at midnight. He also said his departure ended what he called "regular and abusive censorship," which he claimed followed the discovery that he had been posting uncut versions of his copy online.

Following this, the Nationalist Party has rejected any allegation that it has exerted or continues to exert pressure on media organisations or journalists who have worked or continue to work in the media.

It also rejects any accusation that it interferes, or has ever interfered, in the selection of journalists and opinion writers engaged by the various broadcasting and print media organisations in Malta.

"With reference to allegations made this morning by a former editor and columnist of an independent newspaper, the PN denies that PN Leader Alex Borg had any involvement whatsoever in the decision to discontinue that individual's contributions to the newspaper," it said.

The party affirmed their belief in the value of free, independent and responsible journalism as an essential pillar of a strong democracy.