Anthony H. B. Debono, the director of the International Institute on Aging - Malta, has been awarded Lm400 libel damages.

Prof. Debono filed a libel suit against Alan Delia, as a journalist, and against Fr Noel Grima, editor of The Malta Independent.

He claimed he had been libelled by an article written by Delia and entitled Director Of INIA Insists He Is Not Answerable To Government, published on December 18, 1998.

Plaintiff claimed the article constituted a deliberate attempt to discredit him as a director of the institute and added that the article contained innuendos and half-truths.

According to the article, Prof. Debono had claimed he was answerable only to the United Nations and not to the Malta government. The article added that since his appointment Prof. Debono had been abroad for 102 days and that this absenteeism was causing many administrative problems.

Included in the article was a claim that Prof. Debono had embarked on a downsizing programme and had fired staff and stopped the annual report on INIA work for 1998 from being distributed.

All such allegations, Prof. Debono submitted, were libellous in his regard and he asked the court to condemn defendants to pay him libel damages.

Delia however pleaded that the article was based on fact and constituted fair comment while Fr Grima failed to file a note of pleas.

Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri, sitting in the First Hall of the Civil Court, noted that Delia had admitted he had not personally verified the facts he had mentioned in his article, nor had he felt the need to hear Prof. Debono's version before going to print.

On the other hand, Delia had based himself solely upon his sources on the ground, which on previous occasions had given him reliable information.

On his part Prof. Debono testified that the INIA was essentially independent as it had been established by agreement between the United Nations and the Malta government and enjoyed autonomy. Audited accounts were submitted annually to the UN, the government of Malta and to the board of the INIA.

Plaintiff further confirmed he had travelled frequently but explained that the nature of his appointment was essentially international and involved work abroad. He denied that he absence created administrative problems.

Prof. Debono also denied that the annual report had not been distributed but added he had discouraged its distribution adding that if anyone wanted the report they could have a copy.

When referring to Delia's allegation that a downsizing exercise had taken place, Prof. Debono denied ever firing any member of the staff.

Mr Justice Cuschieri found that the article in question was libellous and ordered defendants to pay Lm200 each to Prof. Debono by way of libel damages.