---
title: "PN Denies Pressure as Newspaper Refutes Dismissing Columnist Over Politics"
date: 2026-09-01T17:01:31.631+00:00
updated: 2026-09-02T11:00:30.114+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Community", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-09-01/pn-and-newspaper-deny-claims-over-columnist-dismissal
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# PN Denies Pressure as Newspaper Refutes Dismissing Columnist Over Politics

## In brief

- The Malta Independent denied reports that a columnist was dismissed following political pressure.
- Partit Nazzjonalista issued a categorical denial rejecting any claims of political interference with the media.
- The statements followed public allegations concerning editorial decisions at the independent media house.

The Malta Independent has dismissed allegations that the termination of a regular columnist was the result of external political pressure from the leadership of Partit Nazzjonalista.

In a statement addressing the claims, the media house stated that its editorial decisions are made independently and refuted suggestions that the party leader had influenced staff or contributor changes.

Partit Nazzjonalista similarly issued a statement categorically rejecting claims that it exerted any pressure on independent media outlets.

The party maintained that it respects journalistic freedom and does not interfere in the operational or editorial management of newsrooms.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Both outlets reported the formal denials issued by the media house and the political party straightforwardly.

## Updates

- **2026-09-02:** Updated with reporting from The Malta Independent and TVM News on statements addressing allegations raised by columnist Noel Grima.

## Sources (5, 4 outlets)

- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-09-01/local-news/PN-rejects-allegations-of-interference-with-the-independent-media-6736292559)
- [MaltaToday](https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/144102/malta_independent_denies_firing_columnist_due_to_pressure_from_pn_leader)
- [TVM News](https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/noel-grima-alleges-pressure-exerted-by-pn-to-stop-him-from-contributing-to-the-malta-independent-pn-denies-the-allegations/ "Noel Grima alleges PN pressure to stop him contributing to the Malta Independent; PN denies the allegations")
- [NET News](https://netnews.com.mt/2026/09/01/il-pn-jichad-bmod-kategoriku-kull-allegazzjoni-ta-ndhil-lill-media-indipendenti/)
- [The Malta Independent](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2026-09-01/local-news/Statement-by-The-Malta-Independent-6736292558)

## More stories

- [Alex Borg Criticises Government Over Power Outages and Investment](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-08-31/alex-borg-criticises-government-power-outages-investment) (2026-08-31)
- [ADPD Demands Energy Minister Resign Following Extensive Electricity Outages](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-08-31/adpd-calls-energy-minister-resignation-power-cuts) (2026-08-31)
- [Fresh Power Outages Hit Localities as Opposition Criticises Grid Management](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-08-27/fresh-power-outages-hit-localities-as-opposition-criticises-grid-management) (2026-08-27)

---

Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-09-01/pn-and-newspaper-deny-claims-over-columnist-dismissal