The journalists’ ethics commission has censured maltastar.com editor Kurt Farrugia for improper behaviour in connection with a story the e-newspaper carried. The commission handed down its decision after considering a complaint by Edgar Galea Curmi, head of the Prime Minister’s secretariat, who claimed that Mr Farrugia had made false allegations, had never approached him about the subject, and that though the facts were denied, the denial was never carried in the e-newspaper.

The story in question related to the employment of journalists at the PBS state broadcaster. Mr Farrugia insisted the story was correct and he had not accepted Mr Galea Curmi’s denial.

The commission found that Mr Farrugia had published information without verifying it; had published details which deceived readers, reported twisted facts and did not carry a correction without delay and with the same prominence; and he had reported facts that were false and misleading.