The Nationalist Party today accused the government of using the Department of Information (DOI) to hide the truth.
The party was referred to a statement issued by the DOI last night claiming that a Net News report on the Mark Gaffarena property scandal was "malicious and based on deceit".
In the statement, the government accused the station of editing comments out of context to try to give a picture that was different to the situation.
Addressing a news conference this afternoon, civil liberties spokesman Clyde Puli said that the Net News report was based on comments passed by Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon and government whip Godfrey Farrugia which were unedited and published in full.
PN information director Matthew Bonnett said this was not the first time that the government used the DOI to lie to the people. He mentioned the case of the shooting by former Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia’s driver as an example.
As he encouraged the media to continue to carry out its duties and uncover more government scandals, he said the PN would be there to defend the right of journalism.
In a reply through the DOI, the government insisted NET News had been deceitful in its comments by trying to given the impression of disagreement between Dr Falzon and Dr Farrugia.
This was not the case and Dr Falzon and Dr Farrugia issued a joint statement (the DOI statement Mr Puli and Mr Bonnett referred to).
The press conference, the government said, was just a symptom of an Opposition which did not have anything to say.
The Parliamentary Secretary, it said, had the right to reply to false and deceitful allegations through the DOI.
The PN insisted, however, that Dr Falzon was being super sensitive after Dr Farrugia publicly said that he (Dr Falzon) told him that he had not gone abroad with Mr Gaffarena.
"He's calling names and describing everyone as a liar: Net News, PN spokesmen, independent media and also individuals who accuse government of breaking their trust.
"Michael Falzon is surely feeling the heat," the PN said.