A magistrate yesterday ordered Super One TV's head of news Miriam Dalli to pay €800 (Lm343.34) in libel damages to Roderick Galea over a report about bribery involving driving examiners.

Mr Galea had claimed he was libelled in the course of a news bulletin aired on Super One TV on June 16, 2000.

Ms Dalli pleaded that the news item contained facts and constituted fair comment.

Magistrate Michael Mallia heard that the TV station reported that Mr Galea was driving a van when he was not licensed to do so. The news was transmitted within the context of police investigations into bribes allegedly paid to driving examiners at the ADT. Mr Galea was one of the examiners. Mr Galea said that the bulletin was correct, save for the allegation that he drove a van without a licence.

It was true, the court ruled, that Mr Galea was involved in the bribes issue and that he had undergone legal proceedings. The bulletin was also correct when it said that Mr Galea was a canvasser of former Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett and used to take vacation leave to drive constituents to Mr Mugliett's activities. It was not correct, however, when it stated that Mr Galea used to drive a van without a licence.

The court said that, as Mr Galea was not a public figure, he was entitled to his privacy. The media were not meant to ridicule individuals and expose them to contempt. Whoever heard the news bulletin would come to the conclusion that Mr Galea was worthy of contempt.

The court ordered Ms Dalli to pay libel damages of €800 (Lm343.34).

Lawyer Kris Busietta appeared for Mr Galea.

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