'Monty' passes away

Anthony Montanaro, former editor of The Sunday Times, passed away yesterday, just two months short of his 83rd birthday.

Many will remember him debating on television with a grasp of detail that few could match and excelling in his political argumentation. Until infirmity only recently took him away from his Allied Newspapers office, he was a popular figure there, his crop of white hair as distinctive as his urbanity.

Mr Montanaro, who until a few months ago was a director on the board of Allied Newspapers Ltd, took up journalism in 1943 and was editor of Il-Berqa between 1958 and 1966 and of The Sunday Times between 1966 and 1991. He was also parliamentary editor of The Times from 1947 to 1976.

He was president of the Strickland Foundation and member and first chairman of the Press Club (Malta). He was a knight of magistral grace, Sovereign Military Order of Malta and a member of the National Order of Merit.

Affectionately known as Monty, Mr Montanaro was awarded the BPC Gold Award to journalists in 2002. The award recognises those who have gone beyond the standard and professional requisites of journalism during their career.

Those who recommended Mr Montanaro for the award included not only journalists and colleagues but also the archbishop, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition.

John Mizzi, a former news editor of The Times, described Mr Montanaro as "top of the elite in this demanding profession".

Ronald Agius, at the time of the recommendation still managing director at Allied Newspapers Ltd, said there were "only a handful of people who I will consider as doyens of the Maltese journalistic corps, Anthony is certainly one of them".

It was as his assistant and deputy for 25 years when he was editor of The Sunday Times, that Laurence Grech said he learned from "Tony how to cope with the responsibility of editing what, under his guidance and wise administration, eventually became the largest-selling and probably most prestigious newspaper in Malta today".

"A professional journalist, with an acute sense of fairness" is how Victor Aquilina, former editor of The Times, describes Mr Montanaro. More than that, Mr Montanaro "is one of the father figures in Maltese journalism".

The Institute of Maltese Journalists, formerly The Malta Press Club, yesterday recalled the huge contribution made by Mr Montanaro to Maltese journalism and to the IMJ in particular, throughout his long life.

While still editor of The Sunday Times in 1989, he was a founder member and the first chairman of the Press Club. He served as chairman continuously until 1998. During this time, TMPC set about building the structure of a national association of journalists.

In 1992, Mr Montanaro drafted a memorandum to the political parties that was unanimously approved by TMPC council and submitted to all political parties in Malta.

During 1994 and 1995, together with Carmel Bonello, he worked on the draft Press Act, which became law the following year.

This was the legal instrument that brought about fundamental changes to the press law in Malta, including the introduction of the confidentiality of the source to the local statute book, the IMJ recalled.

Mr Montanaro was made honorary life president of TMPC in 1999.

The IMJ said Mr Montanaro would long be remembered for his long-sighted, clear thinking and the leadership qualities that inspired those who worked with him on the various committees he led.

Mr Montanaro is survived by his wife Frances, and his devoted children Josette, Godwin, Alex and Alan.

The funeral will be held tomorrow at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema at 9 a.m.