David, Daphne gave you the correct answer. In all cases, suspicions will always cloud the public perceptions, no matter what.

If no satisfactory explanation is given by The Times on the reasons for the sacking of the journalist, similary to the Cyrus Engerer case, suspicions will continue to cloud the public’s perception.

[Daphne – I find it disturbing that some people just have no awareness of ethics or privacy issues. This is an employer-employee matter. A (former) employee is free to say why he or she was asked to leave. The employer is not free to divulge the reasons why. This is standard, normal, ethical practice. Of course Allied Newspapers shouldn’t say why he was asked to leave. It would be deeply shocking if they did. How would you feel if you were fired and your employer broadcast the reasons why?]

“Yes, truly, Malta’s democratic dredentials are one of a kind! We are talking of a journalist here, not the receptionist at Progress Press. A journalist occupies a hot seat, and works in the public eye. ”

Albert, precisely so. Let us stick to the FB comment for a moment, and let us assume the trainee journalist under probation was effectively a journalist. Would you expect a BBC journalist to have an exchange like that reported on FB in this case?

Do you think the BBC would accept those standards of behaviour?

How many real journalists would do that?

John, I actually think that when an employee is under probation, employment can be terminated at any time without a reason.
So, unless I am wrong, that would be more like “You were on a probationary period and I’m sorry to tell you that your job is being terminated.”

Kev, these are not libertarians. They are anarchists, and they are bearing red flags.
How do you mean they are closing their accounts? They entered on private premises to conduct a protest, and were arrested.

Here’s the story, Ciccio: http://www.infowars.com/big-banks-refuse-to-let-people-close-accounts/

Oh, there’s another reason, then. Does it verge on the obsessive, or am I missing the rational aspect?

I am really surprised that a leading journalist declares that she is not interested in the reasons why a journalist in Malta’s newspaper of record is sacked after an incident concerning comments passed on FB, apparently linked to a public incident involving a government minister.

[Daphne – Because I know for a fact that no political pressure was exerted to have him sacked. That is the only element that would make the story interesting. Otherwise it’s just the usual ‘it’s not working out’. That’s why there’s a probationary period, Albert. ]

Yes, truly, Malta’s democratic dredentials are one of a kind! We are talking of a journalist here, not the receptionist at Progress Press. A journalist occupies a hot seat, and works in the public eye.

[Daphne – Actually, Albert, you’re talking about a very junior trainee who had never worked in journalism and who had been there for just two months. So don’t get too excited. Somebody else was asked to leave – he is now working for Malta Today – and even though he is the son of a vociferou Laburist, nobody linked it to his political beliefs or any of that kind of behaviour, because there were other issues which are none of our business.]

So, yes, an extreme measure such as the sacking of a journalist is of interest to the public. Talking of something which is “not the public’s concern” smacks a lot of the “mhux fl-interess tal-poplu” replies of government ministers in the infamour 70s and 80s.

[Daphne – Quite frankly, you’re overdoing it. Have you any idea how many trainees are not kept on after probation? No, neither do I. Just stop it, will you. ]

“The question remains, however…WHY was Mr Bonanno sacked?”

If Mr Bonanno was unjustly fired he has recourse to the legal system. He doesn’t need us to defend him.

My answer as an employer would have been “You were on a probationary period and I’m sorry to tell you that you haven’t reached the desired standards”.

Journalism is like walking in a minefield.

He didn’t even cover the story. He was at Wied il-Kbir covering George Pullicino’s clean-up campaign. So this story has nothing to do with his dismissal.

Leave Mr Bonanno alone. He’s looking for a much-needed job. Surely he has talent, and does not need us to pry into his private life. His ex-employer is duty-bound not to divulge any information about him.