All forms of violence against journalists, including threats, are condemnable and should not be glossed over, Malta’s journalist lobby said on Sunday.

The Institute of Maltese Journalists was reacting to reports that police had to step in to protect TVM journalist Brandon Pisani and some of his colleagues as they were going about their duties two weeks ago. 

According to reports, the journalists were threatened by family members of some of the youths who stand accused of beating  teenager Liam Debono.

“While the IĠM acknowledges police assistance in this case, it calls on authorities to ensure journalists are always protected during the course of their duties," it said in a statement. 

Earlier this week, delegations from multiple United Nations member states urged Malta to step up its protection of journalists, in the course of the country’s universal periodic review.

The government responded to criticism by saying that it had accepted 76 per cent of the UN panel’s recommendations, when compared to just 37 per cent back in 2009.