Minister awarded Lm1,500 in libel damages

Mr Justice Geoffrey Valenzia, sitting in the First Hall of the Civil Court, yesterday awarded Education Minister Louis Galea Lm1,500 in libel damages.

Dr Galea had filed a writ in the First Hall of the Civil Court claiming he had been libelled by an article in l-orizzont on April 26, 1997 under the heading "Louis Galea ghand il-pulizija".

He claimed the article was libellous in his regard and asked the court to condemn Frans Ghirxi, the newspaper`s editor, to pay him damages.

The court noted that the publication took place at a time when journalist Joe Mifsud had raised the case of Ciro Del Negro`s diary.

Allegations implicating Dr Galea in drug trafficking had been made and Dr Galea had immediately filed a report with the police, asking them to take all necessary steps in respect of the allegations.

On April 26, 1997 l-orizzont had carried a front page and poster story under the heading "Louis Galea ghand il-pulizija". Together with the article, the newspaper had carried a photo of Dr Galea and another photo of Del Negro.

It was therefore obvious, the court said, that a glance at the article led the average reader to conclude that Dr Galea was investigated by the police in connection with Del Negro`s case. The facts, however, showed the contrary.

The article also gave the impression that Dr Galea was involved in some gross infraction of the law when he was mentioned together with his brother Joe Galea in connection with the illegal importation of drugs into the country by ministerial delegations.

The court concluded that the newspaper`s editor had not produced any evidence in support of the allegations. The court ruled that the libel was serious as it was directed at a public figure who, at the time, was the minister responsible for the fight against drugs. (At the time Dr Galea was Minister for Social Development.)

It therefore ordered the newspaper to pay Dr Galea Lm1,500 in libel damages.

An appeal has been entered by Ghirxi.