Veteran broadcaster Manni Spiteri has passed away, aged 79.
He passed away suddenly in a small studio he had built in his house, where he still recorded programmes for radio.
Mr Spiteri was a pioneer of the Department of Information and was involved in the restructuring of Xandir Malta (PBS) after 1987. He also worked on the setting up and running of the Church media centre.
In his long career he also directed film and television productions and was named member of the 'National Order of Merit', for his services to broadcasting in Malta in 1999.
"Manni was one of the most important contributors to broadcasting in Malta. He was a gentleman, an absolute professional, a hard worker, and an efficient one," long-time colleague Fr Joe Borg said.
Mr Spiteri passed away late yesterday. His funeral will be held at Stella Maris Church in Sliema on Friday at 9.30am.
The Nationalist Party expressed condolences.