Following the court’s order to freeze the financial assets of two Times of Malta journalists, the Institute of Maltese Journalists said that this is a threat for the journalism industry.

The court’s order came at the request of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses. The court order is intended to recoup €4,000 the union officials were awarded by way of damages after winning a libel case against the newspaper. The newspaper has not yet paid the damages because it has appealed to the Constitutional Court, therefore the case is still pending.

In a press statement, IGM said that normal procedures are that it is the media house and not individuals which pay the fine by the court. In this case, the journalists were asked to pay €1,000 each.

It said that it is not just that that such order is given while the case is still pending, adding that this is a threat and step back for the journalism sector.

It said that amendments are urgently required on libel cases, including that to remove criminal records on one’s conduct as promised by the Justice Minister.