Updated 4pm with PN statement:

Salvu Mallia’s popular television show Madwarna will not be included in TVM's upcoming schedule, the presenter revealed today.

Presented in Mr Mallia's intimitable style, Madwarna was lauded for the way it put the spotlight on the Maltese way of life, culture and society.

The Facebook message.

It was Mr Mallia who announced his programme had been axed through a frustrated message on Facebook.

He wrote: "With sadness, we announce the death of the popular and educational programme Madwarna, and with it the fundamental right of free opinion. I dread the moment I voted for this fascist government".

Mr Mallia has been linked with joining Marlene Farrugia’s new Democratic Party and has been openly critical of the Labour government, though he has not spared any punches towards the Nationalist Party. 

Times of Malta's news analysis programme Times Talk has also been axed by the national broadcaster.

'A direct attack on freedom of expression' 

In a statement, Nationalist Party spokesman Clyde Puli said the news about the programmes axed from TVM's schedule confirmed that the national station, financed by the people's taxes, was being used by Castille as a partisan tool.

Mr Puli said this was nothing but a direct attack on freedom of expression because the only reason behind these decisions was that Castille was getting back at those who had tackled the Panama Papers scandal.

It was an attack on the free media because the decisions taken were intended to stop Times of Malta and The Malta Independent from having a discussion programme on national television.