They might not be burning down printing presses, or preventing newspapers from choosing the name they would like for their publication. But the attacks on the independent media under this government continue, and we might not be far away from reaching that point.
When a government has dictatorial tendencies – in spite of its claim, made before the election, that there would be transparency and accountability – the media comes under attack every time it tries to expose the government for what it is.
Some weeks ago, I had written about an attempt by a lawyer representing the energy minister, the embattled Konrad Mizzi, to force a journalist to reveal her source. His request was thankfully turned down by the courts. The fact that such a request was made however is already enough to see how ministers think about freedom of the press.
But matters have become worse since then, and they culminated in the behaviour of none other than the same minister when this media house approached him for an interview last week, and his vicious response to a perfectly legitimate article published in The Malta Independent on Sunday and on this portal.
The statement issued via the DOI was highly partisan, so unbecoming considering that this is a government department paid for from taxpayers’ money. It was yet another confirmation – if there was any need of one – that the government uses public resources to attack anyone who dares oppose it or criticise it.
That Konrad Mizzi threatened us with legal action before knowing the information we had in our possession is a sign that there could be things about which we are still unaware. It was an attempt at intimidation, and an effort to block the story before it was published. It exposed a minister who is feeling the pressure of a situation he brought upon himself, and from which he will never disentangle.
There is no doubt that the minister is in panic mode. It is his fault the government is facing such a huge backlash and losing so much popularity. The Panamagate scandal has put the whole government against the ropes, and being so close to Joseph Muscat adds an extra level of pressure on Konrad Mizzi. The crisis the government is facing is unprecedented, and Panamagate will stay with us till the election no matter what the government machine comes up with.
Konrad Mizzi is being treated very differently when compared to Manwel Mallia, Godfrey Farrugia and Michael Falzon. Muscat’s hands are tied. The PM has put so much trust in Konrad Mizzi, giving him the largest portfolio in government and also creating a scheme by which he anointed him as party deputy leader. If Konrad fails, then Muscat fails too, and this is why Muscat is defending the minister so blindly, risking his political future by refusing to take action and putting himself in a position to be described as an accomplice.
The Labour Party is also facing its own turmoil because of Konrad Mizzi. They made the wrong decision to hold an election for a deputy leader when Toni Abela had still not resigned and was still to face the European Parliament grilling. Trust Labour to turn things upside down and take things for granted. It now has to face the consequences of its short-sightedness and is stuck with having to get rid of Toni Abela anyway to make way for the anointed one.
The media has a duty to scrutinise the behaviour of people like Konrad Mizzi. He is a government minister and a deputy leader of a political party. Hysterics, tantrums and threats will not stop us from doing our job.