Justice Minister Jonathan Attard has shot down a request made by Steward Health Care for the government to launch an investigation on MaltaToday editor Matthew Vella.

It is unacceptable that journalists are threatened that they will be reported to the government so that an investigation is launched against them, Attard said in comments to the media.

It is not the government’s role to investigate any journalist, he said, adding that the Labour government has worked to strengthen the role of journalists and offer them better protection.

He was replying to questions on a report by MaltaToday that Steward Health Care has requested the government to investigate its editor Matthew Vella, with the media house saying that such a request "threatens the right to freedom of expression" and the right for the media to operate freely.

Attard said that the government is not aware of such a request that was mentioned in a right of reply sent by Stewart to MaltaToday.

This situation is a non-starter, he said.

IGM statement

IĠM (Institute of Maltese Journalists) today expressed solidarity with MaltaToday editor Matthew Vella and outrightly condemned Steward Healthcare International’s decision to write to government and demand that Vella be investigated.

IĠM maintained that reporting factually does not constitute a smear campaign. Reaching out to government and demanding a criminal investigation against a journalist is outright condemnable and represents a direct threat against the wider Maltese press.

Apart from extending solidarity, IĠM urged all journalists to call out any entities threatening them with SLAPP.

PN statement

The Nationalist Party, in a statement, expressed its support to Vella and all journalists.

The PN said that the government "should not be caught in this attempted bullying exercise by Steward that, because it has its backs against the wall, is trying to attack the freedom of the media in our country."