The editor of Malta Today, Saviour Balzan, was the latest victim of an arson attack when the front door of his residence was set on fire early yesterday morning.

Preliminary investigations by the police showed that unidentified persons threw something on the door of the house, which is situated in Triq iz-Zenqa, Naxxar, and set it alight. The fire was put out by the police and by Mr Balzan himself. No one was hurt in the incident.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Balzan said that while he feels aggrieved by the incident, it will in no way change his attitude or make the slightest difference to the way in which he expresses his journalistic opinion.

“After this cowardly attack, I appreciated much more the pain one has to go through if you have to suffer in silence.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have showed solidarity with me in this hour and I also feel that this reaffirms the need for all journalists to unite in the face of such antagonism,” Mr Balzan said.

This is the latest in a series of arson attacks that have occurred in recent months.

In a statement, the Journalists’ Committee condemned this attack on one of its members, which it described as a serious attack on the freedom of expression.

“We express our solidarity with Saviour Balzan in the face of this cowardly act, which sadly also happened on World Press Freedom Day,” said Journalists’ Committee spokesman Massimo Farrugia. “We appeal to the authorities to bring to swift justice these criminals whose actions are a direct assault on the fundamental freedoms of our democratic society.”

The Institute of Maltese Journalists was also swift to express condemnation of the arson attack on Mr Balzan. In a statement expressing solidarity with Mr Balzan and his family, the IGM appealed to the authorities to investigate the case and bring those responsible for the incident to justice.

The IGM said that it was ironic that such a cowardly attack against the fundamental liberties and freedom of the press should take place on World Press Freedom Day.

Duty Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna has appointed several experts to assist him in the investigation.