Times news editor resigns to lead PN election campaign

Caroline Muscat has resigned from her post as news editor at the Times of Malta in order to take up the role of campaign director for the Nationalist Party, the opposition announced in a statement. 

Muscat, who was recently appointed editor following a newsroom reshuffle, has handed in her resignation at The Times of Malta and will also be resigning her post as vice president of the journalists' institute.

Muscat said it was PN leader Simon Busuttil who inspired her to join the political party and help them prepare for the upcoming general elections, scheduled to take place in 2018.

“I have decided to accept this role within the PN because I believe that Simon Busuttil can lead the PN to form a strong alternative government that puts the national interest first,” Muscat said.

“Throughout my life I have always avoided being partisan because of my role as a journalist, but I now feel that I must take a stand. I am giving up my career in journalism because I have been left with little doubt that this government is riddled with corruption,” she added.

Muscat was the journalist who exposed the Gaffarena scandal. Referring to the Old Mint street saga, Muscat said: "this scandal gave me real insight into the lengths those close to this government are prepared to go to serve their interests. It was not the first, nor the last of the scandals to rock this government."

Muscat said her first priority will be to put together a team that will be focused on listening to people's needs and concerns, and in turn communicating how the Nationalist party will bring about change.