MaltaMedia.com

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The MaltaMedia OnLine News Service came to an end on Christmas Eve 2014, after more than 14 years of providing online news from and about the Maltese Islands. Indeed MaltaMedia News was the first online news from Malta launched June 1 1999, making balanced and fair reporting its trademark. Indeed, it was never sued in court.

Screenshot of the countdown to the launch of the MaltaMedia News Service on June 1 1999

The online experience has changed beyond recognition since 1999. In that year Malta still had dial-up 56K Internet access, no smartphones, no tablets, and no social media, like the rest of the world of course. Yet MT Media Productions Ltd saw and exploited the potential, and launched this news service, the second major product launch after the Midnight Mass webcast on the 24th December 1998.

While the traditional Maltese media was still fast asleep, MaltaMedia provided live online coverage of 9/11 terrorist attack on the USA, the first blogosphere, pioneering podcasts and special features on the Government’s Budget, Carnival, Eurovision, Christmas and other major events. This earned MaltaMedia News various Malta Journalism Awards over the years.

After the 2008 General election, the traditional media woke up and smelled the coffee, and MaltaMedia News faced both healthy competition and the muscle power of the local media houses. In the end, Goliath managed to win after David had set the tune for almost a decade.

I would like to thank all the writers, journalists and other staff who made this historical venture possible for their dedication. I would also like to thank the readers for their following, feedback and encouragement, especially in the early formative years. This has been a splendid journey, full of fond memories that we will all cherish in our professional careers.

Martin Debattista

Editor-in-Chief (1999-2014)