The Libyan Embassy in Malta on Wednesday highlighted its growing concern on the "increasing frequency" of perpetrators of serious violations or criminal activities being incorrectly identified as Libyan nationals by the media in Malta.

In a statement, the embassy said that these observations have been occurring more often as of late. It said that this has been corroborated by subsequent and thorough verification checks by competent authorities, including the Embassy itself, that have "repeatedly confirmed that individuals implicated in these reports were, in fact, not holders of Libyan nationality."

The embassy continued that "this pattern of misidentification has had a demonstrably negative impact." For instance, it said that "it unfairly tarnishes the reputation of the entire Libyan community in Malta - a community known for its law-abiding nature, positive contributions to Maltese society, and its pursuit of stability and peaceful coexistence."

The embassy declared that with it being dedicated to protect the interests and wellbeing of the Libyan community in Malta, it urgently calls upon all media institutions and journalists operating in Malta verify the nationality and legal status of individuals involved in incidents through official channels before publication, refrain from using "speculative language" that can link an association between criminal activities and a specific national community without having confirmed facts at hand, and to "exercise the utmost rigor, accuracy, and objectivity in their reporting."

The embassy noted that "responsible journalism is a cornerstone of a just society" and that adhering to these principles would avoid any harm being done against innocent communities in Malta. It added that following its listed pleas would help "maintain the strong bonds of mutual respect between the peoples of Libya and Malta."

This statement concluded with the Libyan Embassy extending its arm out towards media outlets, saying that it remains open for cooperation and will stand ready to provide any clarifications or accurate information to the reporting of matters involving Libyan citizens.