Veteran journalist Sylvana Debono has been appointed President of the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), becoming the institute’s first female president since its inception.

Debono, who heads the editorial team at Beacon Media group which incorporates both Newsbook.com.mt as well as 103FM, was chosen to be the IGM’s president in a meeting held on Thursday.

She thanked the outgoing President Yannick Pace for his work as well as the preceding council for laying solid foundations for future achievements.

“This is a great team, and we all bring different skills to the table. We should be able to be of service to our profession and raise standards even higher,” she said.

Debono will be supported by an executive council which will now reflect the ever-increasing priorities of the IGM. Each member has been handed a specific remit to help the IGM bring a renewed and passionate focus to each sector of the industry.

Indeed Debono’s role will encompass policy, ethics, and will also see her serve as the coordinator of the Annual Journalism Conference Coordinator and as a Member of the Malta Journalism Awards Commission.

She will be assisted by Times of Malta journalist Claire Caruana, who will serve as Vice-President and will also be responsible for SLAPP, outreach, and campaigns.

TVM journalist Nigel Mifsud will continue in his role of secretary, and will, amongst other things, coordinate the transformation of IGM into a trade union.

NET journalist Christine Amaira will take the role of Membership and Events Secretary, while Lovin Malta’s Julian Bonnici will serve as Information Secretary.

Mario Schiavone will serve as Treasurer, while Malta Independent Deputy Editor in Chief Neil Camilleri will serve as Assistant Secretary.

Charles Camenzuli will serve as Education Secretary, while Dominic Aquilina will represent Freelance, photographers, and cameramen, and Sandro Micallef will represent sports journalists.