Prime Minister Robert Abela said Thursday that "if I had to open a libel case for every misinformation and fake news you publish, I can set up home in court, open a case every day, and spend the rest of my life in court."

Prime Minister Abela made these remarks after he was asked by a NET News journalist if he will open a libel case against the Nationalist Party's media house.

The Speaker of the House, Anġlu Farrugia, last issued a ruling for NET News to correct a news article regarding what Home Minister Byron Camilleri said in reaction to a botched police raid in Swieqi where police forcibly entered an apartment and put four innocent people in handcuffs and zip ties. 

The PN media had claimed that Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri blamed a magistrate for the police allegedly mistakenly storming an incorrect address in Swieqi. After reviewing the official parliamentary record, the Speaker confirmed that the Minister never made such a remark, and ordered a correction. This correction was made this week, though only after Speaker Farrugia referred the PN and its media to the Privileges Committee after failing to issue the requested correction sooner.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister chastised the PN media wing and told their journalist that while he understands that they must promote the Nationalist Party agenda, this provides no justification to spread misinformation. Hence, he called for the Opposition's journalists to fulfil their duty as journalists and report factually.

"I understand that you represent a political party, but that does not excuse you from opening a misinformation campaign. People must be well-informed on the facts," Prime Minister Abela told the NET News journalist.

The journalist challenged the Prime Minister to open a libel case if misinformation is truly present in her media house's work. In response, PM Abela stated that "I don't think I can find a single article without misinformation."

Abela referenced the recent speaker ruling, through which Speaker Farrugia intervened and called for the PN media to correct its "lies." PM Abela told the journalist that calling the error an inaccuracy would be too generous.

"This is the level that PN media has reached," he remarked, "You try to win political points by not telling the truth. I think we should be honest and factual with the people, irrespective of which party's agenda we are promoting."