The Shift News

The Shift is an online news platform focused on investigative reporting and promoting press freedom. Uniquely in Malta, we do not accept funding or advertisements from the government or political parties, allowing us to maintain our independence.

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Articles

Opinion: A lesson for Robert

1 month ago | theshiftnews.com | Kevin Cassar |Ryan Murdock

Keith Pace, Maria and Desideria Grixti pleaded guilty to having insulted and threatened physical violence against three ONE journalists. They admitted to breaching public order and swearing in public after the entire country watched aghast as the three of them brazenly threatened reporters with violence using vulgar and offensive language.
Konrad Mizzi’s henchman given new contract at OHSA

1 month ago | theshiftnews.com | Ryan Murdock

Alex Cutajar was given another handpicked government job in 2024, serving as an advisor to the CEO of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) to manage a national campaign on health and safety in construction sites. According to his contract, seen by The Shift, Cutajar was paid thousands for the direct order. It is not known whether the campaign was eventually implemented. No competitive tender was issued for the job.
Mapping Media Freedom registers prime minister’s threat against The Shift

1 month ago | theshiftnews.com | Ryan Murdock

Prime Minister Robert Abela’s attack on The Shift has been registered as a threat to press freedom by European portal Mapping Media Freedom. The European platform tracks threats to journalists as well as violations and limitations imposed on media organizations and individuals.
Opinion: Fixing Joseph Muscat’s problem

1 month ago | theshiftnews.com | Ryan Murdock |Kevin Cassar

Joseph Muscat has a problem. The institutions weren’t supposed to act against him. He made sure of that by exploiting Malta’s weaknesses systematically and deliberately the moment he took power. He appointed five police commissioners under Labour that protected the government instead of the public. The parliamentary ombudsman and the auditor general were undermined, and the Permanent Commission Against Corruption hasn’t produced any results in its thirty-year existence.
Gouder ends up with 10% cut on Labour’s Rialto investment

Jan 7, 2025 | theshiftnews.com | Belle de Jong

Former Labour TV reporter turned lawyer and businessman Charlon Gouder has secured a 10% share in a private construction company that plans to invest millions in transforming the Labour Party’s Rialto Theatre building in Bormla into a new entertainment venue, which includes a controversial rooftop wedding hall.
#CasinoPapers: International software provider operates gambling websites through Malta shell company

Jan 7, 2025 | theshiftnews.com | Belle de Jong

Behind the polished façade of software provider Delasport lie hundreds of gambling websites targeting countries where gambling is heavily regulated. A look into the #CasinoPapers – tens of thousands of leaked documents from inside the industry – shows that shell companies in Malta and Curaçao play a crucial role in obscuring the ownership of these websites. In 2023, Manwel*, playing from Malta, deposited more than €100,000 into his online casino account.
A year of impact and challenges

Dec 31, 2024 | theshiftnews.com | Caroline Muscat

The Shift’s commitment to delivering journalism that makes a difference and our dedication to unearthing the facts has set us apart and ensured we’re still here seven years on. Our community of supporters knows what we’re all about, and thanks to them, we’re proud of the three strengths that now define us: We’re impact-led, we’re relentless, and we’re fiercely independent. This isn’t just talk. We mean what we say. Here is a sample of our achievements in 2024.
A direct order lasting 10 years: JobsPlus audit reveals regular breaches of law

Dec 17, 2024 | theshiftnews.com | Caroline Muscat

A direct order lasting 10 years: JobsPlus audit reveals regular breaches of law A service provider for electrical works for JobsPlus has been doing jobs for the agency on a direct order for 10 years.
Saviour Balzan obliged to promote Gozo Minister in new deal

Dec 15, 2024 | theshiftnews.com | Caroline Muscat

Media Today owner Saviour Balzan has renewed the contract with Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri for the publication of Gozo Today, a newspaper that “must conform with whatever instruction is issued by the minister.”According to a contract signed two months ago, on 17 September, and acquired by The Shift through a Freedom of Information request, Balzan agreed to receive €3,000 a month for the publication of four editions.
Jason Micallef ‘forced’ to order Christmas tree from Labour suppliers

Dec 11, 2024 | theshiftnews.com | Caroline Muscat

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said in parliament that no one was interested in supplying the annual Christmas Tree for Valletta’s main entrance, and the Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency, Jason Micallef, was constrained to spend the budgeted €20,000 through a direct order. According to the Minister, the only supplier found to do the job through direct order was TEC – The Entertainment Company – a supplier for the Labour Party’s mass events during electoral campaigns.