'Blind patriotism' should not silence waterpolo betting probe reports
'You're missing the wood for the trees,' IGM and GĠS tell critics
Two entities have come out in defence of investigative media reports after certain commentators took exception to stories detailing a betting probe into Malta's national waterpolo team.
The publication of these reports was described as an "intentional and unpatriotic act" by certain commentators who claimed such coverage may have disrupted the team’s focus, a statement by L-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports (GĠS) and l-Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin (IĠM) said.
Times of Malta reported that several Malta national team waterpolo players were being investigated for allegedly betting on their own matches at the European Championships in Serbia.
The players are suspected of having placed bets on the goal difference of Malta's opening game against Montenegro in the 2026 European Championships held in Serbia. The following match - another defeat to France - is also being investigated.
While GĠS and IĠM said they would not comment on the merits or content of the news reports in question, it reiterated a fundamental principle of journalism, whatever sector it may cover: Journalism, including sports journalism, is built on professionalism and prioritises the public interest over blind patriotism.
"Professionalism is defined by truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, and accountability. It cannot, and should not, be subordinated to blind patriotism. Although sports reporting can naturally evoke national sentiment - particularly on rare occasions when national teams compete on major international stages - journalistic ethics demand that facts are reported without bias, even when such reporting may not align with popular expectations or national sentiment."
Asking a journalist to renege on their duty and postpone a report on a matter of public importance such as match-fixing, "simply misses the wood for the trees".
Among others, Replay's Christian Micallef lashed out at Times of Malta both on Net TV and on social media, insisting he would not have reported the probe before the end of the tournament because it would hurt team morale.
Malta went on to win the three remaining matches after the investigation was reported.