The GWU's Sunday newspaper It-Torca was today fined more than €23,000 in five libel cases.
The newspaper was fined the maximum of €11,646.87 in a case instituted by Mita employee Wayne Lee Valentine after the newspaper alleged that while he was seconded to Enemalta, he leaked sensitive information useful to BWSC, which was granted the power station extension contract.
Valentine allegedly passed information to a colleague whose father-in-law was the BWSC agent.
The court said this article was the result of gutter journalism and it appeared that the journalist relied on allegations made to him by sources who, when it mattered, could not prove their information. It was also clear that the journalist had not made a distinction between fact and conjecture. This, the court said, undermined the respect which the journalism profession should enjoy, while undermining the reputation of Mr Valentine, who ended up being arrested during police investigations and was also investigated by the Public Accounts Committee.
The newspaper was also fined €5,000 each in two cases over an article which implied corruption by Nationalist MP Tony Abela and minister George Pullicino. They filed proceedings separately.
The newspaper was also ordered to pay €1,000 and €500 in separate cases over a story where it was claimed that production houses were paid for subtle publicity for Mater Dei Hospital. The first case was filed by Christian Scicluna. The second was by Sabrina Mullegen.
In other judgements today, three articles in The Sunday Times and The Times were found not to be libellous. The first case was instituted by Sharon Ellul Bonici against Ray Bugeja and Ivan Camilleri over an article entitled Labour MEP raises eyebrows in Brussels.
The second was instituted by architect Paul Buhagiar against Caroline Muscat and Steve Mallia, while the third was Leo and Joseph Camilleri, Rita Mifsud, Carmel Spiteri at St Peter Developments Ltd against Alan Deidun and Steve Mallia over a picture and caption written by Dr Deidun in The Sunday Times.
In another case a comment by Joseph Zammit in timesofmalta.com was also found not to be libellous. The complaint was made by Labour MP Helena Dalli.