Jason Micallef digs in as attack on Newsbook reporter 'puts journalists at risk'

Update 4.51pm

Ta’ Qali parks director and Labour firebrand Jason Micallef is facing accusations of harassment after launching a personal attack on a Newsbook journalist who has been investigating the controversial gravel project at the Ta’ Qali picnic area.

In a Facebook post, Micallef accused Newsbook journalist Christine Mamo of carrying out a “hysterical attack” against him over articles she published about the Ta’ Qali picnic area. He accused her of being partisan and amateur, driven by political fanaticism, as he attached multiple images of the reporter to the post.

“I have every right to expose journalists like Christine Mamo, whose writings or the spirit behind her writings are inspired by a personal agenda, and the rampant political partisanship she was in when she was still working with NET News until a few months ago.”

It comes a day after Mamo featured in a Newsbook video shot at the site, which showed a lack of vegetation in parts of the picnic area covered by the gravel. Micallef has in the past insisted that the gravel would not affect the growth of grass at the site. He also attacked Matthew Mamo, a former NET and Newsbook journalist who now works at the Office of the President.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), PEN Malta and a former ONE News Editor were among those to condemn the remarks. 

Reacting to Micallef's post, the IĠM said Micallef’s comments were “an attempt to bully and intimidate a journalist who questioned his decision”.

The gravel used at Ta Qali has proved controversial since its application at the site around three months ago. Multiple news outlets have reported on the saga.

The IĠM said “such behaviour towards journalists is unacceptable in a democratic society from someone in his position”.

“Journalists are there to report, question and seek answers and hold power to account; an exercise that fulfils their duty towards society. It is Micallef’s duty to be transparent and accountable for his actions,” the union said.

“By singling out individual journalists by name in an attempt to put them up for ridicule, Micallef is putting them at risk of public harassment.”

The union demanded Micallef remove the post and apologise, adding that he “or any other person in authority, for that matter, is wrong to believe that their pathetic attempts to bully journalists will stop them from doing their job”.

'Utterly unacceptable’

Writers’ association PEN Malta joined the criticism of Micallef’s actions, calling his statement “beyond what is acceptable in a democratic society”.

“His use of multiple images of journalist Christine Mamo singles her out and demonises her, exposing her to harassment and abuse. Such conduct by a public official is utterly unacceptable and irresponsible.”

The association stressed that as a publicly paid official, Micallef had a “duty to answer questions posed by journalists when these concern matters of public interest”.

Last week, Micallef was filmed refusing to answer questions from a Newsbook reporter about the Ta’ Qali picnic area gravel, calling the enquiries “ridiculous” and saying he would only answer questions about the plans for Valletta’s New Year's Eve celebrations.

“The Ta’ Qali gravel and regeneration is in the public interest, both in terms of the direct order and whether public money has been used responsibly or wasted. Journalists are not only entitled, but obliged, to ask such questions.”

The association called it “alarming” that more than six years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, “some public officials appear to have learned nothing about the dangers of targeting journalists for doing their work”.

Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb outside her home after what a public inquiry later described as a sustained campaign of hate and personal attacks against her.

“If Micallef feels unable to withstand legitimate public scrutiny, he knows what the appropriate course of action is,” PEN Malta said. 

Former ONE News editor Sandro Mangion also took exception to Micallef's comments, saying it is the same tactic used by Donald Trump when journalists - especially women - get under his skin.

"Attacks on individual journalists by someone who holds power and is paid by the taxes of all Maltese citizens, simply because they are not throwing softballs, are unacceptable in a democracy", he said.

PN MP Rebekah Borg joined the chorus of criticism of Micallef, calling his actions "unacceptable".

"It is a worrying attitude that when you lose the argument, you rush to attack", said Borg.

"From public officials who are paid from our pockets, we expect responsibility and transparency, not excuses and attacks on those who are doing their job", while highlighting that questions about Ta' Qali had still "not been answered convincingly".

"I expect action to be taken", she said, adding, "Solidarity with Christine Mamo".

But Micallef stood by his comments when challenged by Times of Malta. 

"Do we believe in what we preach," he asked. "Is it not Freedom of Speech equal for everyone including myself? Or does Freedom of Speech start and end only with journalists, the armchair critics commentators, and the usual and the very predictable NGOs? I remain a self believer that Freedom of Speech is there for everyone not the privileged few."

This is not the first time Micallef has faced criticism for singling out journalists; in May last year, the firebrand was accused of instigating hate after he claimed a journalist was in “collusion with the establishment”.

Back then, he claimed a Newsbook journalist “was given questions” to ask former prime minister Joseph Muscat by former Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi and members of NGO Repubblika. And last summer, he threatened podcaster Trudy Kerr with legal action after she also raised the issue of the Ta' Qali gravel.

'PM should take action'

The Nationalist Party urged the prime minister to "condemn and take action" against Micallef for "lashing out" against a journalist.

"It is shameful for a public official to lash out personally at those simply carrying out their duties, merely because he is being held accountable for his actions," the PN said in a statement on Thursday.

The Opposition expressed its solidarity with journalists "who are repeatedly attacked by Labour's establishment whenever they crticise the government or disagree with it."

"This attitude is deeply concerning for freedom of expression and a free press in our country."

Arnold Cassola expressed his solidarity with Mamo "and all journalists who have the courage to speak truth to power". 

Repubblika pointed out that freedom of expression "does not exist to shield public officials from public scrutiny, nor to give them a licence to abuse, intimidate or vilify journalists who hold them accountable for their actions."

"Abusive language, personal attacks and attempts to discredit journalists — especially women journalists, who often become targets of extreme hostility — are not forms of free expression. They are an abuse of power. When government officials behave in this way, it creates a chilling effect on journalism and weakens democratic accountability," Repubblika said.