Declaring one's interests?

I refer to the comments in The Times by Austin Sammut, a former Maltapost and PBS chairman and a former political appointee on various government boards including the Broadcasting Authority under the previous Nationalist administration. He calls on me to declare my connections past and present with former Nationalist Minister John Dalli so that readers can judge what is published in the Sunday newspapers MaltaToday and Illum.

He asks this in the aftermath of the Joe Zahra story and our reportage on the case. For the umpteenth time, here it comes.

I have no business connections with Mr Dalli and I have never been employed by him. And, no, Mr Dalli does not own any of the publications as the conspiracy theory fanned by guess who goes. And this does not stop me from criticising or reporting events that concerned Mr Dalli's time as minister. Neither does it deter me from having an amicable talk with Mr Dalli.

The publishing company MediaToday is owned by Roger de Giorgio and myself. There are no silent partners, no hidden agendas and no ulterior motives. And Dr Sammut knows this.

Dr Sammut should know that, when he was unceremoniously asked to pack up and leave as PBS chairman when Austin Gatt took over PBS from Louis Galea, MaltaToday had carried the story. It was entitled Former PBS Chairman Was Asked Not To Rock The Boat Before The Election. I recall Dr Sammut thanking me for the "fair" report.

My sober response to Dr Sammut is simple. Dr Sammut's legal office has served and perhaps still serves as legal counsel to Mr Zahra who has been sentenced to two years in prison. (Mr Zahra plans to appeal from the judgment.)

Why didn't Dr Sammut declare his legal firm's interest with Mr Zahra?

I could go on but for the moment I think I should stop here.

In his contribution to The Times, Dr Sammut referred to the local press, which reported that the majority of respondents would vote for the PN. He obviously tries very hard not to mention that it was MaltaToday that carried the story two weeks ago.

Dr Sammut knows MediaToday newspapers carry a story simply because it is a story. We restrict ourselves to carrying stories, and not to return this party to government or to elect the Labour Party. If Dr Sammut would like to know anything else about our "interests'" he is free to contact us.