Tonio Bonello and Julia Farrugia, with a combined 32 years of media experience between them, have joined forces to create 24seven Media, a new production house which will be offering quality programmes to various TV stations.

The two journalists have already collaborated successfully with the interview programme Wicc imb Wicc which was being shown on One TV between October and December of last year.

Julia and Tonio are now hard at work producing more high quality programming scheduled for this year.

“The idea of creating 24seven Media came about when Julia was investigating a story about a number of journalists who hadn’t been paid for the services they had provided for a TV programme,” Tonio Bonello explains. “Julia and I were working separately in the field and we felt the need to join forces to offer something more solid to the stations by providing a holistic package. As individuals, we found it a bit difficult to tender for certain programmes in competition with other production houses that are quite well-equipped. So that is why we decided to form our own production house: we do the research and production and we team up with other small houses for the technical side of things.”

After the decision was taken things moved very fast. They set up a website and negotiated their first contract to produce Wicc imb Wicc, which resulted in 50 one-on-one hard-hitting interviews, presented by Julia.

As a result of their respective careers which have seen them work with most of Malta’s media, the two journalists feel they can provide a wealth of journalistic and broadcasting experience.

“Our company won’t be just another TV production house,” Tonio points out. “Besides an emphasis on creativity, we can offer high quality scripting, acting, presenting filming and editing in a wide variety of genres. These range from investigative, human interest, social issues, travel and adventure, business topics, entertainment and drama. Extensive research, investigation and high profile interviews are part and parcel of our specialization, as well as a reputation for award-winning programmes.”

Tonio Bonello has won three awards for best investigative TV programme and has been nominated six times for awards in both the print and audio visual media.

Julia Farrugia has won awards from the EU for her stories about discrimination and four national awards for print journalism. She was also nominated twice for broadcast journalism.

Tonio and Julia’s ambitious plans for their new venture include web design, screenplays and E-books (in Maltese and English) a new concept for the local market. In fact, Tonio has already written three screenplays, The 12 Virgin Pregnant Sisters, Mdina – the Silent City and Works of Art.

To find out more about 24sevenMedia visit their website www.24sevenmedia.net.