The Institute of Maltese Journalists "absolutely condemns" the comments made by the chairperson of the Ta Qali National Park, Jason Micallef, towards a Newsbook journalist.

In a post on the social media, Micallef accused Christine Mamo of "partisan and amateurish" work related to the Ta Qali park, for which Micallef is responsible. Micallef has been under fire after gravel was laid on the ground at the park.

Micallef's comments are an attempt to bully and intimidate a journalist who questioned his decision to cover the Ta Qali picnic area with gravel, the IĠM said in a statement on Thursday Thursday.

Micallef, who is also chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency and the special delegate appointed by Prime Minister Ribert Abela to oversee the implementation of the electoral programme, is a public official and "such behaviour towards journalists is unacceptable in a democratic society from someone in his position".

Journalists are there to report, question and seek answers and hold power to account; an exercise that fulfils their duty towards society. It is Micallef's duty to be transparent and accountable for his actions. By singling out individual journalists by name in an attempt to put them up for ridicule, Micallef is putting them at risk of public harassment.

This is not the first incident of its kind involving Micallef, either. The IĠM demands that Micallef remove the post and apologise for his actions. Micallef, or any other person in authority for that matter, is wrong to believe that their pathetic attempts to bully journalists will stop them from doing their job.

In another statement, PEN Malta condemned the statement issued by Jason Micallef attacking a Newsbook journalist. Micallef is a public official, paid from public funds, and as such has a duty to answer questions posed by journalists when these concern matters of public interest. The Ta' Qali gravel and regeneration is in the public interest, both where it comes to the direct order and whether public money has been used responsibly or wasted. 

Journalists are not only entitled, but obliged, to ask such questions, PEN said. Micallef's statement goes beyond what is acceptable in a democratic society. His use of multiple images of journalist Christine Mamo singles her out and demonises her, exposing her to harassment and abuse. Such conduct by a public official is utterly unacceptable and irresponsible. 

It is alarming that, more than six years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, some public officials appear to have learned nothing about the dangers of targeting journalists for doing their work. If Micallef feels unable to withstand legitimate public scrutiny, he knows what the appropriate course of action is, PEN said.

Jason Micallef 'has clearly learnt nothing from the mistakes of the past,' PN says

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said that Jason Micallef once again launched an attack on journalists for reporting that the grass at Ta' Qali has still not grown as promised and that, "despite the recent rainfall, the public remains stuck with the gravel that was spread across the picnic area at a cost of €300,000 to the Maltese people."

"It is shameful for a public official to lash out personally at those simply carrying out their duties, merely because he is being held accountable for his actions. Even more shameful is the language used by the former Labour Secretary General and Robert Abela's Special Delegate, who had no qualms about extending his attack to the Spokesperson for the President of Malta - solely because he happens to be the brother of the journalist targeted."

"Meanwhile, Micallef remains completely silent on the condemnations related to what he carried out in the Ta' Qali picnic area as well as the clear statements highlighting the irregularities surrounding what was supposedly a family-friendly project, including that: the contract was awarded through a direct order instead of a public call for tenders; the gravel was laid without the necessary permits; no environmental studies were carried out beforehand; a third of a million euro of public funds was spent on this."

The PN expressed its solidarity with journalists "who are repeatedly attacked by Labour's establishment whenever they criticise the Government or disagree with it. Robert Abela must not only condemn Jason Micallef's behaviour but also take action against his Special Delegate, who launched an attack on a journalist simply for doing her job."

The PN also questioned whether Minister Chris Bonett still holds the same position after yesterday going to great lengths to defend Jason Micallef and telling the public that, "even if this could result to be a serious mistake that will cost the Maltese people dearly, it is no big deal - because if the grass fails to grow where the gravel was laid, they can simply try something else."

"This attitude is deeply concerning for freedom of expression and a free press in our country. Labour and its highest officials continue to adopt the same approach: whenever they lose the argument, they lash out at anyone who stands in their way."

Repubblika statement

Repubblika expressed its full solidarity with the Newsbook journalist, and with all journalists who face intimidation, abuse, and bullying simply for doing their job.

It said that Jason Micallef's "attempt to justify his behaviour by claiming a right to freedom of expression fundamentally distorts what freedom of expression exists to protect. Like all rights, freedom of expression exists to protect citizens from the power of the state. It does not exist to shield public officials from public scrutiny, nor to grant them a licence to abuse, intimidate, or smear journalists who hold them accountable for their actions."

"While occupying a public position, Jason Micallef is not exercising personal power. He is using authority entrusted to him by the public and spending public funds. That power carries duties, not privileges. Among those duties is the obligation to accept criticism, to respect the role of the press, and to ensure that journalists can work without fear of harassment or retaliation. Abusive language, personal attacks, and attempts to discredit journalists, especially women journalists who are often subjected to particularly hatred, are not forms of free expression. They are an abuse of power. When government officials behave in this manner, they create a chilling effect on journalism and weaken democratic accountability."