A former Times of Malta editor plans to sue blogger and activist Manuel Delia over the "most hideous character assassination" piece written to tarnish his reputation. 

Steve Mallia, editor in chief at Times of Malta until 2015, said he could not accept the totally unfounded allegations made in his regard in a blog post titled ‘Journalism most foul, he said’.

The reaction was made in a reaction to an opinion piece written by the former editor and published in The Sunday Times of Malta. 

Mr Mallia's parting shot was: "More insidious, however, is the threat posed by activists wearing journalists’ hats and whose objective is not the promotion of journalism, but to bring about a political outcome. When that mission is accomplished, they will quickly return to the myopic fold and leave real journalists – if there will be any left by then – to pick up the discredited pieces of their profession." He did not mention anyone by name. 

The claims were made on Manuel Delia's blog.

In a statement to the press on Saturday, Mr Mallia said that given the absence of a retraction and apology, he had been left with no alternative than to instruct his lawyers to file defamation proceedings in court against Mr Delia. 

"I was actively involved in journalism for over two decades. Throughout that time I enjoyed moments of great satisfaction and made my fair share of mistakes. But whatever faults I may have possessed, I always operated in an environment of fierce independence and acted with unfailing integrity. People may at times have disagreed with my views or actions, but my integrity was one trait that political leaders I came into contact with never called into question."

He said he had chosen to write an opinion piece for a newspaper he was proud and privileged to have edited for nine years – because he wanted to express his genuine concern at the direction a certain type of journalism has taken in Malta particularly by people who have been in the political field.

Certain standards are non-negotiable: opinion should never be passed off as fact and freedom of expression is not an absolute right – it comes with responsibilities

"While investigative reporting is vital, one of the main points I wished to convey is that certain standards are non-negotiable: opinion should never be passed off as fact and freedom of expression is not an absolute right – it comes with responsibilities."

He said that contrary to the malicious allegations, in his position as editor, he never possessed any knowledge of the alleged actions attributed to the ex-managing director of Allied Newspapers Ltd, Adrian Hillman; and, particularly since he had absolutely no involvement in the commercial operations of the company, he was not in a position to know – let alone gain any financial benefit myself from them, "which is perhaps the most repulsive fiction put forward by Manuel Delia".

"Furthermore – as my former colleagues will attest because they lived the reality – the ex-managing director never, ever dictated an editorial decision during my tenure. I took those decisions and assume sole responsibility for them. Along with his other allegations, this is a grotesque invention by Manuel Delia that will not remain unchallenged."

Mr Mallia said he has never taken legal action against anybody over what was said or written about him or the newspaper – even when he deemed it offensive.

"On the contrary, I campaigned hard for the removal of criminal libel from the statute books and contributed proposals to the updated Media and Defamation Act that today provides journalists in Malta with better legal protection than ever before.

"Following Manuel Delia's blog post last Monday, I posted a brief reply on his Facebook wall stating that the unsubstantiated allegations and insinuations made in my regard were lies and that journalists/bloggers are responsible for the content they publish. During the course of the week, which allowed for a period of reflection, he did not retract a word, let alone apologise. On the contrary, he – and other uninformed commenters – increased the dose.

"Neither he, nor anyone else for that matter, has the right to unjustly tarnish another's reputation and I will leave no stone unturned to safeguard mine. Nor will I cower to bullying tactics aimed at discouraging me from expressing an opinion."

Mr Delia, a former head of Austin Gatt's ministerial secretariat, is a prominent activist in the Occupy Justice movement.