Counting agent complains of aggressive behaviour by TV staff

A man who was an agent at Ta' Qali for the counting of the referendum votes yesterday complained of aggressive behaviour on the part of Net Television staff.

Ronald Axisa filed a judicial protest in the Civil Court against Media Link Communications Limited and the Nationalist Party general secretary.

He claimed he was called out of the counting hall and told to await the arrival of the leader of the opposition.

When Dr Alfred Sant arrived on the scene, he and other agents accompanied him inside the counting hall to offer him protection from the aggression of some members of the press, including Net Television staff.

Axisa claimed he was hit in the head by a cameraman in the confusion and he told him to be careful. But the cameraman kicked him some time later and he naturally reacted and warned him to leave him alone.

But the cameraman kicked him a second time and he naturally lifted the camera and pushed the cameraman back, Axisa said.

But the Nationalist Party media were now using him to spread deceitful propaganda against the Labour Party and the leader of the opposition by insinuating that these were surrounded by violent people.

Axisa said this was causing him damage and called on the party and the media company to desist.

Dr José Herrera signed the protest.