As politicians become more abusive, the work of journalists becomes more crucial

The ongoing right-wing debate – with Trump in the US and the Labour government in Malta – seeks to equate politicians with journalists as though they are equal enemies on a level playing-field. That is how Trump in America and Muscat’s coterie in Malta seek legitimacy for their attacks on journalists, whether in the collective, or when picking out single targets, as is happening with me in Malta.

But there is no level playing-field. The politicians are the legislators. They have all the power to make and break laws. In Malta, politicians in government also control all state institutions and investigative bodies. Journalists are most definitely not at par with politicians – anywhere in the world, let alone in a quasi-democracy like Malta.

When politicians target journalists, whether it is Trump in America or Muscat and his corrupt cronies in Malta, it is a grave abuse of power which should, and does, strike fear into people’s hearts.