During Wednesday's arraignment in connection to the Ħal Safi drugs heist, journalists and camerapersons were filmed, threatened and followed while carrying out their work duties outside the Law Courts, the Institute of Maltese Journalists said Thursday.

The IĠM said in a statement it is aware of an incident where two journalists and a cameraman were filmed and threatened by the relatives of those accused.

In another incident, the same relatives followed another journalist and hurled insults at them as they were leaving the court building.

The IĠM condemned the incidents and shows solidarity with the journalists affected.

"This reminds us all of the real dangers faced by journalists in their line of duty," the IGM said.

While the IĠM would like to thank the police for their prompt response to the threats, and for taking measures to ensure that the journalists on site were protected during and after the hearing, the IĠM also urges the police to take criminal action against the aggressors.

Repubblika statement

In a separate statement, NGO Repubblika condemned the threats and attacks against the journalists, expressing solidarity with those involved.

The NGO noted how many times journalists have been the target of criminals who attempt to stop them from performing their duties.

People who have things to hide do not like journalists and do their best to shut them up.

Repubblika said the authorities have the duty to protect journalists. 

PEN Malta statement

In another statement, PEN Malta expressed solidarity with the journalists who were recently attacked while carrying out their duties in court.

PEN calls on the authorities - namely the Prime Minister, the government, the police, and the law courts authorities - to also condemn these acts and to emphasize that such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable in a democracy. 

PEN Malta said that in the past, when the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia received threats and the authorities failed to take action, the consequences were extremely serious. 

PL statement

The Labour Party also expressed solidarity with the two ONE News journalists and a cameraman who were intimidated by a group of people while on duty outside the Court yesterday evening.

The journalists were the target of personal attacks, insults and threats when they were reporting about the four people accused of the drug robbery that took place last weekend in Ħal Safi, the PL said.

The conduct of these individuals is condemnable and deplorable. The journalists were carrying out their duty at the time that they were intimidated, and no reason justifies the aggressive behaviour by this group of people.

The Labour Party also expressed solidarity with Minister Byron Camilleri who was also the target of insults by the same group of people who intimidated the ONE News crew.

PN statement

The Nationalist Party also strongly condemned the intimidating behaviour of a number of individuals towards journalists who were carrying out their duties last night in front of the Court building. The PN expressed its solidarity with the journalists involved and with the media outlet they represent, One News.

The PN said it expected the authorities to take all necessary steps immediately to protect journalists and to investigate those responsible for the intimidation, ensuring they are brought to justice.

The PN continues to insist that the Government must promptly publish the White Paper on reforms to strengthen journalism in our country, ensuring that every journalist in Malta and Gozo benefits from the highest level of protection against abuses by those who seek to conceal the truth.

PN leader Bernard Grech also expressed his full solidarity with the journalists of One News and extends his support to all journalists in our country.