Reference is made to a criminal libel case instituted against Steve Mallia, editor in chief at The Times, by Saviour Balzan, managing editor of Media Today, in relation to comments made in a The Sunday Times editorial last year.

Mr Balzan has withdrawn his claim for defamation against Mr Mallia. The two editors have agreed that in the best interest of their readers and media organisations they should refrain from attacking their respective media or resorting to legal action against one another.

They believe that criminal libel is an anachronism and its abolition is long overdue.

They also believe that rather than resorting to legal action, it would be more useful to join forces to highlight the long-term impact of libel laws on the freedom of the press particularly in view of recent disturbing court judgments.

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