It was to be expected.

Taking a look at the most read stories on The Malta Independent website www.independent.com.mt for the past year, 31 of them were published in the last six weeks of the year.

They all concern the events that rocked the foundations of our democracy, led to the arrest and arraignment of the man suspected to be the mastermind in the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia, forced the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (and those of OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi) and sparked a race for the new Labour Party leadership.

The Maltese population was hooked to the unfolding events, with certain days being more intense than others as developments took place hour by hour, if not minute by minute.

Strangely, though, the three most read stories were not from the latter part of the year; but the most recent developments certainly made up for it in the subsequent positions.

So much so that some other big stories that took place during 2019 did not feature among the top 40 stories. Had it been a normal year, they would have made it for sure.

For example, the arrest of two soldiers who were later charged with a racially-motivated murder did not make it. Only one of three stories of buildings that collapsed as the construction industry came under fire and led to changes in regulations found a place in the top 40. The Nationalist Party had a very tough start to the year, which culminated in a massive defeat in the MEP election, but none of the stories about the PN leadership were among the top 40 most read stories.

The riots at Hal Far, the approval of a development in ODZ land in Qala (which was renounced by the developers), the protests against the destruction of trees and even the ones related to the call for justice by civil society – none of them made it.

Neither did the murder of a Maltese national, Paul Anthony Formosa, in Somalia, or the killing of a mother and daughter in Ghaxaq.

They were close, but not close enough to fit in the top 40 list. The publication of the Egrant report barely did, although it was a massive development that led to a series of pull-out stories from the investigation and magistrate’s conclusions.

The ravaging storm that caused millions of euros in damages in February was the most read story of the year, followed by two stories regarding the elections for Malta’s six new MEPs and local council elections – stories which, to be fair, spanned over several hours with constant updates, meaning that they had a prolonged exposure on our website.

From then on, it was almost one story after another pertaining to developments which started with the arrest of a man who later requested a presidential pardon in order to spill the beans on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

There followed a string of developments which led to the arraignment of Yorgen Fenech, and the subsequent testimonies given in court, some of which also made it to top 40.

With them, one must also add the political ramifications which included the announced resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, which followed that of Mizzi and Schembri (and the self-suspension, later withdrawn, of Minister Chris Cardona).

The number of stories that The Malta Independent carried with regard to the developments of the last six weeks of the year was much higher than the ones that feature in the list of the most read. The 31 that made it were the most important of the lot.

Very few stories not linked to the last six weeks of turmoil found their place in the top 40.

The death of two women in a very bad accident in Mgarr – in which seven others, including four children – were injured, was the sixth most read story of the year.

Stories about the new rent regulations, a car that went flying over the Santa Lucija roundabout, the purchase of Malta Air by Ryanair and a nationwide power cut two days before Christmas also featured in the top 40.

The list of the 40 most read stories in 2019 can be found below

 

1.     A night of wind, rain and damage – 24 February

2.     Labour Party wins EP election by 42,600 votes; PL gets 4 seats, PN two seats – 26 May

3.     Local council elections – PN retains St Julian’s, but loses Valletta and St Paul’s Bay – 29 May

4.     This is the villa where Fenech, Schembri allegedly hatched escape plan – 28 November

5.     Plea bargaining being considered in Yorgen Fenech arrest – 22 November

6.     Two women die; 7 others, including 4 children, injured in Mgarr Traffic accident – 14 April

7.     Public inquiry into murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia holds first sitting – 6 December

8.     New rent regulations come into force in January 2020 – 26 June

9.     Middleman feared Keith Schembri and Yorgen Fenech would blame him for Daphne murder – 11 December

10.   Majority of Cabinet call for Muscat’s resignation – 29 November

11.   Yorgen Fenech discussed escape plan to Tunis; Keith Schembri phone missing – 19 December

12.   Car sent flying after hitting Santa Lucija roundabout at high speed – 21 April

13.   Diane Izzo denies rumours she is owner of Egrant – 27 November

14.   Police officer advises teenage activist to ‘stop voicing opinion’ so as not to receive death threats – 3 December

15.   Times of Malta journalist fired after company learnt facts about ‘diverse issues’ – 20 December

16.   Serene Michelle Muscat says the media was ‘always against us’ – 13 December

17.   No European job for Muscat: Busuttil gloats as Deborah Schembri hits back – 3 July

18.   Metsola says Joseph Muscat tells EP delegation that he feels betrayed by Keith Schembri – 3 December

19.   It’s official: Ryanair to purchase Malta Air – 11 June

20.   Fr David Muscat told to move away by Daphne’s sisters, in spite of Salvu Mallia intervention – 9 December

21.   Keith Schembri is at home and has no reason to flee – Neville Gafa – 30 November

22.   Yorgen Fenech’s second pardon request rejected by Cabinet, third to be decided by President – 28/29 November

23.   Yorgen Fenech warned me about police raid – middleman in Daphne case tells court – 4 December

24.   Yorgen Fenech charged with complicity to murder Daphne Caruana Galizia – 30 November

25.   Open war: Labour exponents in battle on social media – 25 November

26.   17 Black owner’s boat intercepted at sea, Yorgen Fenech in police custody – 20 November

27.   Muscat was on the verge of resigning; contenders gearing up for possible leadership race – 28 November

28.   Standards Commissioner asked to investigate Yorgen Fenech’s reported €20,000 watch gift to PM – 26 December

29.   Massive power cut hits Malta two days before Christmas – 23 December

30.   Keith Schembri resigns from post of OPM chief of staff – 26 November

31.   Relegation: PM’s meeting with pope no longer an official visit – 5 December

32.   Italian premier Conte cancels Rome lunch meeting with PM – 5 December

33.   Konrad Mizzi resigns, Chris Cardona suspends himself – 26 November

34.   PM Joseph Muscat continue to text Yorgen Fenech after consulting MSS – OPM – 4 December

35.   Joseph Muscat defies calls for immediate resignation, will leave in January - 1 December

36.   Egrant report uncovered web of criminality from Castille, Delia says – 18 December

37.   Times of London describes Malta as island of corruption – 29 November

38.   Four-storey building collapses in Mellieha – 8 June

39.   Damage irreparable, Alfred Sant says; ‘bizarre incidents… triggered new suspicions’ – 2 December

40.   ‘We’re in mourning’ – don’t decorate for Christmas: Labourites – 7 December