A journalist from The Malta Independent this morning was prohibited from entering the Lands Department in Valletta.

The incident occurred directly after the PN press conference by Ryan Callus.

At the entrance, the journalist approached the receptionist and asked whether the building was open and was told “yes, depending on what you need”.

As soon as he identified himself as a journalist, the receptionist said, “we are under orders not to allow journalists inside. Tell your friends (referring to other journalists) outside”.

Both receptionists then stood up and exited from the office box situated in the middle of the corridor, where the receptionists sit, and walked towards the journalist, who was already leaving the building.

After the journalist walked out, one of the receptionists proceeded to close the door behind him.

Questions have been sent to Parliamentary Secretary Deborah Schembri as well as the Office of the Prime Minister asking who gave the order, and what the reason is for this measure.

A government spokeswoman asked to comment on the situation said - "there are no instructions to stop journalists from entering the GPD, however like in every other public building, journalists and the general public cannot roam around without permission".

This, however, when the journalist was barely at the receptionist desk for a minute, and the receptionist stating that he was under orders.