MEP Roberta Metsola has called on European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans to intervene after "the Government of Malta's intimidation of journalists...exposed its lack of respect for media freedom and the most basic of EU values."

This comes after Minister Chris Cardona and his EU presidency policy officer Joseph Gerada filed four precautionary warrants which froze €47,460 of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia's bank account.

"Does the commission consider the intimidation of the media acceptable?  Will it reach out to the Maltese authorities to stand up for the protection of EU values?" she told the Vice-President

Dr Metsola went on to say "The administration of the day is engulfed by almost daily new allegations in the media of corruption and abuse of power, including the dubious honour of having the only sitting Minister in the EU, and not the chair of the EU Energy Council, whose secret financial vehicles were exposed by the Panama Papers leaks" she went on to say

It was clear, she said, that government ministers have shifted gears and are now targeting individual journalists who expose the current administration's impropriety.

"The European Commission cannot and should not remain silent. The people of Malta look to the European Commission for direction and leadership, ignoring their legitimate concerns as to the state of democracy in Malta cannot be an option" she said.

"In line with our charter on fundamental rights, member states must protect journalists and their freedom to write and report without fears for their safety or their livelihood."

" If the charter is to be worth more than the paper it is written on. Member states and their representatives must respect both its letter and its spirit."

Dr Metsola informed the Vice President that should he fail to intervene she will take the matter further with Civil liberties, Justice, Home Affairs committee in the European parliament.