Times of Malta challenges false claims made against journalist by Vitals suspect

Times of Malta's editorial team has demanded that alleged money-launderer Chris Spiteri remove false claims posted on Facebook against journalist Jacob Borg. 

An alert has also been filed with the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism that tracks, monitors and reacts to press and media freedom violations in EU member states and candidate countries.

Spiteri's claims were amplified by the chair of the Freedom of Information tribunal, a government official and a former Office of the Prime Minister official.

Spiteri is facing charges of money laundering and criminal association in connection with the Vitals/Steward hospitals concession, alongside former prime minister Joseph Muscat and other former officials. They deny the charges. 

The claims relate to a Times of Malta report published on April 9, based on a public notice issued by the Accountancy Board stating that Spiteri will no longer be carrying out company audits. 

Posting on Facebook on Saturday, Spiteri alleged that Borg had offered to withhold publication of the article in exchange for an admission that former prime minister Joseph Muscat, former chief of staff Keith Schembri and former minister Konrad Mizzi had “stolen money” from the hospitals concession.

A legal letter sent to Spiteri details that, in line with international journalistic standards, the Times of Malta journalist sought Spiteri's written comment on March 30 regarding the voluntary surrender of his auditing functions. 

Instead of replying in writing, Spiteri requested a telephone call with the journalist, the legal letter says. 

At no point during the telephone conversation was the subject of withholding the article - which was based on a public notice by the accountancy board - broached, it continues. 

Three weeks after the telephone call, Spiteri made false claims on social media against Borg, a multi-award-winning journalist.  

The legal letter says Spiteri's post and the comments he allowed to be published on his social media wall in reply amount to harassment of a journalist through the publication of comments intended to create hostility and to attack that journalist’s professional reputation. 

"You are to note that informing the public of matters related to the actions of an accountant and auditor facing multiple criminal charges connected to the fraudulent privatisation of three of Malta’s public hospitals is a matter of public interest," the legal letter says.  

Spiteri's allegations were subsequently echoed on a blog run by Neville Gafa, who described them as evidence of a “frame-up” against the former prime minister and warned that “pressure on Borg is going to increase big time”.

Commenting on Spiteri’s Facebook post, Jason Micallef described journalists as “keyboard terrorists”, while Anna Mallia shared the post, writing: “This is how our self-called independent media operates – obey or be damned.”

The legal letter was sent on behalf of editor-in-chief Herman Grech, online editor Bertrand Borg, print editor Anthony Manduca, news editor Diana Cacciottolo and journalist Jacob Borg.