Jon Mallia Clashes With Franco Debono After Lawyer Warns ‘Foul-Mouthed Podcasts’ Harming Society
Franco Debono and Jon Mallia have clashed online again after the renowned lawyer warned that “foul-mouthed” podcasts are harming Maltese society.
Debono accused “certain podcasts” of promoting slander through lowbrow, swearing-heavy conversation, which has become “a symbol of a society that is about to hit rock bottom”.
“We all let out a swear word in private now and again, and none of us are saints, but the sublimation of foul language as an intellectual exploit is a symbol of a society that has hit rock bottom,” Debono said.
“I believe that such behaviour, besides being unintellectual and ħamallu, could also contribute to a certain degree of savagery in our society.”
Although he didn’t name Mallia’s, Mallia’s podcast Il-Podcast ta’ Jon is well-known for its stripped-down, unfiltered conversations with players in Maltese society, that often involve swearing.
And Mallia clearly assumed he was referring to him.
“Someone fetch a bottle. The baby is about to start crying again”, Mallia said, adding that Debono is accusing him of being the reason for crime in the streets.
Debono retaliated by calling out Mallia for not reproducing his full post and for “feeding people what he wanted to feed him.
Debono’s comment comes after it was revealed that one of the youths involved in the recent Valletta gang attack had sworn at an arresting officer.
Debono is representing one of the youths in court.
This is not the first time the lawyer and podcaster have gone head to head.
In October, Mallia invited Debono to be a guest on his podcast. However, Debono said he would only accept if Mallia “swears” not to profit off the interview, accusing the podcaster of running his blog to make money and not as a mission.
What do you make of this rift? Let us know in the comment below
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