Norman Vella Thanks ONE For Airing Unedited Right Of Reply Over Hate Speech Case
Former TVM journalist Norman Vella thanked ONE for airing an unedited version of his right of reply, after the PL media house claimed he had reported a man to the police for hate speech.
Although ONE claimed that Vella had reported Jeremy Portelli to the police over a Facebook comment about assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Vella stressed that this was not the case. Vella’s version of events was backed up by Superintendent Joseph Busuttil, who investigated the case and confirmed to Vella in writing that he had never filed a police report.
“I would like to thank the editor of ONE, Josef Caruana, for airing my response in a timely manner and without any edits. He acted with integrity and professionalism, and I acknowledge that,” Vella said.
Portelli was cleared by the courts of hate speech after the police failed to show any evidence of the context in which he had published his comment. He had said Superintendent Busuttil told him that Vella had reported him to the police.
Vella and Portelli have since made up and plan to meet each other for a drink when they have time.
“The most important thing we agreed on was that there is no animosity between us,” Vella said. “I also appreciate that Mr Portelli repeatedly condemned the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and I don’t think he intended to stir up or incite hatred against her.”
“For me, this is enough to close the chapter here.”
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