Two articles criticising police behaviour, albeit in completely different circumstances, were the most read blog posts on Times of Malta in 2018. But politics, social media and the environment also dominated the subjects tackled by our bloggers.
These are the top 10 most viewed blog posts on Times of Malta online:
1. Why don’t you drag out the bullies instead?
The most viral blog post of the year went to a piece written within hours of a group of activists being forcibly removed from the Planning Authority offices.
The post, written by Times of Malta online editor Herman Grech, harshly criticised the police's heavy-handed tactics when confronting activists who were legitimately protesting against the delayed fuel stations policy.
2. Poor man, he works long hours
The second most-read post zeroed in on the reaction of the Home Affairs minister amid reports that the assistant police commissioner was forced to step down after his partner allegedly reported he had beaten her up.
3. Jaqaw liswed li qed mijew
The piece was provoked by a racist message sent through an email to a Times of Malta journalist whose partner happened to be a black man.
4. Charles Scicluna to the pillory
Archbishop Charles Scicluna has a tendency to decry corruption... just as his boss in Rome does. But when he does, the government lets slip the dogs of war, according to Fr Joe Borg.
5. Maltese cheerleading ugliness
Irishman Colm Regan's blog post tries to get to the bottom of the reason why the Maltese can be nasty and poisonous towards each other and foreigners.
6. To the cowards who cleared Daphne's memorial
The constant clean-up operations at the dead of night to wipe out the calls for justice after Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder are nothing but a cowardly act, which strengthened the resolve of many.
7. Prime Minister, we need to chat
Joseph Muscat's interview with young Katriel was superb. Pity the prime minister continues to abstain from engaging with most journalists worth their salt.
8. I used my fatness as a joke until I decided enough was enough
Blogger Mel Hart's personal piece on bullying struck a cord with many, especially in these days of social media hatred and trolls.
9. Down the rabbit hole we go
In a dig at the Police Commissioner, Victor Calleja says Malta could have made the news for spotlighting the crooks... rather than helping perpetrate the country's "crookedness".
10. The online hate mob
A picture of a cat brutally killed outside a restaurant sparked a trial by media... even if we never got to know the identity of the perpetrator.
