Times of Malta's editorial team has demanded that alleged money-launderer Chris Spiteri remove false claims posted on Facebook against journalist Jacob Borg.
An alert has also been filed with the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a Europe-wide mechanism that tracks, monitors and reacts to press and media freedom violations in EU member states and candidate countries.
Spiteri's claims were amplified by the chair of the Freedom of Information tribunal, a government official and a former Office of the Prime Minister official.
Spiteri is facing charges of money laundering and criminal association in connection with the Vitals/Steward hospitals concession, alongside former prime minister Joseph Muscat and other former officials. They deny the charges.
The claims relate to a Times of Malta report published on April 9, based on a public notice issued by the Accountancy Board stating that Spiteri will no longer be carrying out company audits.
Posting on Facebook on Saturday, Spiteri alleged that Borg had offered to withhold publication of the article in exchange for an admission that former prime minister Joseph Muscat, former chief of staff Keith Schembri and former minister Konrad Mizzi had “stolen money” from the hospitals concession.
A legal letter sent to Spiteri details that, in line with international journalistic standards, the Times of Malta journalist sought Spiteri's written comment on March 30 regarding the voluntary surrender of his auditing functions.
Instead of...
Times of Malta's editorial team has demanded that alleged money-launderer Chris Spiteri remove false claims posted on Facebook against journalist Jacob Borg. An alert has also been filed with the ...