Libel actions dismissed

Mr Justice Geoffrey Valenzia in the First Hall of the Civil Court has dismissed two libel actions brought by Norman Bezzina against journalist Joe Mifsud.
Mr Bezzina had claimed that he had been libelled by Mr Mifsud in the book "Id-Djarju ta' Ciro Del Negro published in 1997. He also claimed that he had been libelled by an article entitled "Tangenti F' San Raffaele" written by Mr Mifsud and published in the newspaper "Kullhadd".On his part Mr Mifsud pleaded that no libel had been committed and that the publications were covered by privilege. The court heard that Mr Bezzina felt libelled by the publication of his photograph next to one of a drug trafficker. The book also alleged that he had tried to corrupt a government minister and that he was involved in corruption in connection with the construction of San Raffaele hospital. Mr Mifsud submitted that the publications were not libellous but were a faithful report on matters of public interest. Mr Mifsud told the court that Mr Bezzina had been mentioned in the compilation proceedings against Meinrad Calleja in connection with corruption in the construction of the new hospital. Mr Bezzina had issued a statement denying the allegations made against him in the compilation proceedings. Mr Mifsud added that he had interviewed Ciro del Negro and the latter had confirmed what had been said in court. In both his book and the article, Mr Mifsud had published both Mr Bezzina's statement and the results of the interview with Mr Del Negro. Mr Justice Valenzia said that Mr Mifsud had not simply reported allegations made against Mr Bezzina in both his book and article. Mr Mifsud had said what Mr Del Negro had told him but had also published Mr Bezzina's denial. It further resulted that Mr Mifsud's publications about Mr Bezzina were not unfounded. It was in the public interest that such matters were reported for at the time of the publications, Mr Bezzina was a consultant to minister Louis Galea. In conclusion the coaurt dismissed both libel actions.