The Institute of Journalists has expressed solidarity with two Times of Malta journalists who were served with warrant of seizure on their financial assets, describing it as “a direct threat to journalism”.

In a statement, the institute said the warrant was “unjustified” and called on the government to fast-track the libel reform laws.

Last week, Magistrate Francesco Depasquale upheld a request of former and current nurses’ union officials to seize the bank accounts and salaries of the Times of Malta editor-in-chief Steve Mallia and head of news Ariadne Massa.

The order to freeze the bank accounts and salaries is intended to recoup €4,000 the union officials were awarded by way of damages after winning a libel case against the newspaper.

The newspaper has not settled the damages yet because it has taken the case to the Constitutional Court. This case is still pending.

In January, an appeals court had reduced the damages payable to €4,000 from €11,500 after ruling the amount was excessive. It had also stated that, although the facts contained in the story were correct, the newspaper’s sub-heading – ‘Patients swindled in scam: top MUMN official investigated’ – could have been interpreted by any right-thinking individual as referring to the organisation’s executive when its members were not involved in any way.

The matter was referred to the Constitutional Court but before any decision was taken, the journalists received papers informing them about the warrant of seizure.

In its statement, the institute said it was a known fact that damages awarded against journalists were paid by the media houses they represent and not by the individuals. It said the warrant was “a step backwards” and “a direct threat to journalism”.

As it expressed solidarity with Mr Mallia and Ms Massa, whom, it said, had been “treated like criminals” for losing a libel case.