Today’s newspapers present a number of similar stories reflecting a rather similar editorial choice where it comes to prominence and relevance.
The Malta Independent, In-Nazzjon and The Times all dedicate extensive coverage to the court decision where Magistrate Francesco Depasquale ‘ruled that although there were grounds to begin a criminal inquiry into the latest revelations regarding Dubai-based company 17 Black, a seperate company would duplicate the work of a pending money-laundering inquiry. The Times report is entitled <<’Grounds for 17 Black inquiry’ – But court says separate probe would duplicate work>> . In-Nazzjon entitled its story <<Il-Qorti tilqa’ t-talba biex issir investigazzjoni dwar 17 Black>>. The Malta Independent’s report is called <<17 Black claims to be probed, but under existing inquiry>>.
All newspapers carry a photo caption story depciting the salvage operation to remove the grounded vessel Hepaestus from Qawra. The captions vary, though in essence all reflect the general message of the operation.
The Malta Independent’s main story delves into recent data revealed in a study about students coming to Malta to learn English as a foreign language. The report entitled <<Students from major markets decline as Malta attracts more from Morocco, Japan, Brazil>>, analyses the data presented in the survey commissioned by FELTOM which shows that students coming from the more traditional markets such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Libya are now on the decline. The backpage of the Independent carries an article by Dr. Simon Busuttil which in a way replies to an opinion piece by Dr Chris Fearne. The article entitled <<Yes, let’s respect principles. Starting with the truth>>, sees Dr Busuttil saying that Labour Deputy Leader fails to respect the basic principle of loyalty to the truth on what he (Busuttil) said in Parliament. He argues “We may well agree or disagree at times fiercly, and that is understandable. But as a minimum let’s respect each other’s views without distorting them.”
In-Nazzjon carries a story about the pedophile’s register. <<Kważi 60 ruħ imniżżla fir-Reġistru tal-Pedofeli>> reports how there are 58 people listed on the pedophiles’ register, people who sometime in their life did some form of sexual abuse on children and minors. The front page of the newspaper carries one of the official photos of the royal wedding and a story announcing the agreement regards a new government in Italy. The back-page of In-Nazzjon carries an interview from Matthew Mamo with Tamara Webb about how she uses social media to share her story to encourage others.
L-Orizzont’s lead story refers to the unemployment figures released recently. <<Irreġistrat tnaqqis ta’ 28% fir-rata tal-qgħad>> quotes Malta Employers Association Director General Joe Farrugia speaking about the postives and the problems of such a low rate of unemployment. Amongst these there are issues related to sourcing of resources and difficulty for certain people to find jobs. He also refers to the issue of public sector employment, somehting which in his view should be curtailed. He also warns about the implications of having foreign workers in the eventuality that there would be some economic slow-down. In another story L-Orizzont refers to lack of respect from the young and youths to the notion of authority. <<Bdejna niżlin in-niżla>> refers to comments of a teacher who has 17 years of exprience who refers to the way children might have been empowered and given a lot of informaiton about their rights but not the same level of attention has been given to their responsibilities. The backpage carries two foreign related news. A photo story shows a security guard in Hawaii against a backdrop of lava from Mount Kilauea. The second story refers to the declaration of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the sanctions against Iran might be the strongest and harshest ever.
The Times front page carries a story about the former Sea Malta building in Marsa. <<PA taken to court over Sea Malta building>> reports that The Chamber of Architects and Civil Engineers, Din L-Art Ħelwa and Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar filed an application in court requesting that the Planning Authority’s approval of the demolition of the “fine modernist building” be declared null and void and that the court rule the PA acted beyond its authority. The backpage of The Times carries a photo from the Royal Wedding and a talking point by John Consiglio entltied <<Policy on fiscal defiance>>.
