Government analysing journalism committee’s feedback on reforms / Malta News Briefing – Thursday 11 August 2022

Mid-day briefing

Contender for top Police force job quits the force: A star candidate for the role of Financial Crimes Investigation Department has quit the force. According to sources, Superintendent Frank Tabone, the head of the anti-money laundering unit, was chosen as the preferred candidate to lead the FCID. Tabone, on the other hand, has expressed his desire to leave the force in favour of a legal career and is currently on leave.

Festa enthusiasts hit back at minister’s traffic comment: Festa-goers have reacted angrily to the transport minister’s controversial claim that outdoor feasts are to blame for some of the country’s traffic problems. When asked about the perennial traffic problem last week, Aaron Farrugia said, “The country needs to decide whether or not we want to have feasts, which have occurred for the past 50 to 60 years.” Some enthusiasts were not pleased, particularly band club committee members, who claimed that outdoor feasts are being used as an excuse and have no significant impact on traffic flow. According to them, roads are primarily closed at night and on Sundays during feast days, when traffic is minimal. “Feasts are being used as a convenient scapegoat, given that a minister blaming his predecessor on infrastructural failings would be viewed as an act of treason,” Festa researcher and composer Alex Vella Gregory said.

Covid-19: There were 49 new Covid-19 cases reported today. No one died as active cases have reached 625.

Morning Briefing

St Albert Teachers angry after vacancy advert to replace headmaster

Fr Aaron Zahra’s decision to issue a vacancy call to replace sacked school head Mario Mallia has angered educators at St Albert the Great College in Valletta. The rector sacked Mallia last month, on grounds of insubordination. The sacking came as a shock to college educators, parents and students, leading to an outpouring of condemnation

Government analysing feedback from journalism committee: The Justice Minister stated that the government is now analyzing the input on several media-related regulations that it has received from the Committee of Experts. During a meeting with representatives of the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IM), Jonathan Attard provided the update. The Prime Minister established the Committee of Experts at the beginning of the year in response to a recommendation made by the public inquiry into the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Michael Mallia, a retired judge who oversaw the public inquiry, is in charge of it

Covid-19 Update

One person has died while Covid-positive, the health authorities reported on Wednesday, while 43 new cases were identified. Active cases have gone down to 696.