Partit Demokratiku MP Marlene Farrugia urged the public to stand up to bullies everywhere and at all times.

Bullying, she said on Tuesday, had no place anywhere in society, let alone Parliament, she said referring to Monday's Parliamentary sitting during which Economy Minister Chris Cardona was heard saying Ġejja Tiegħek (Your turn will come).

Dr Cardona denied he was threatening anyone and said he was speaking in a political tone.

"No bully scares me. Yesterday's remarks strengthen my resolve to give my 100% towards cleaning up the mess in Malta's political system," Dr Marlene Farrugia said.

During Monday's sitting, PD leader Godfrey Farrugia brought the comments to the attention of the Speaker, who concluded that Dr Cardona's comment was made with political intent.

"Hate speech and bullying, especially against women, is rampant in Malta and more so in social media. It is directed towards politicians, journalists and activists. Little to nothing is being done by PL or PN to stop it," Dr Marlene Farrugia said.

She noted that journalistic revelations showed persons linked to both major political parties running 'online troll farms' to inflame debate online.

One such Facebook group was called Laburisti sal-Mewt, which was uncovered following a report by The Shift. Attacks on opposition MPs, government critics and civil society activists are coordinated on such Facebook groups. These groups also help spread misinformation and fake news. Neither Prime Minister Joseph Muscat nor Opposition Leader Adrian Delia had condemned the use of troll farms to stifle discussion.

"This is part of a trend where no action is taken against hate speech and bullying. A 2016 request made to Malta to counteract hate speech during the 2017 EU Council Presidency agenda was not taken up by government. Instead of beating hate speech and bullying, the agenda seems to be to continue promoting it," Dr Godfrey Farrugia said.

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