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Mark Camilleri

Extended-protected article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mark Camilleri
M.Q.R
Born1988[1]
EducationUniversity of Malta
Organisations
  • Dar Camilleri
  • The Maltese Herald
Political party
Partit Laburista (until 2019)
Other political
affiliations
Moviment Graffitti
Writing career
Occupation
  • Historian
  • writer
  • publisher
  • journalist
Genre
  • nonfiction
  • politics
  • political satire
  • history
Notable works
    • A Rent Seeker's Paradise (2021)
    • Ġaħan fl-Aqwa Żmien (2022)

Mark Camilleri (born 1988) is a Maltese author, historian, publisher, and independent journalist. Camilleri served as chairman of Malta's National Book Council from 2013 to 2021. Following his dismissal, he became an outspoken critic of Malta's ruling Labour Party, particularly against former prime minister Joseph Muscat, and current prime minister, Robert Abela. In the 2010s, Camillieri advocated against censorship laws in Malta. He has written and published books about the history of Malta and novels, and established his own publishing house, Dar Camilleri. He founded a news website, The Maltese Herald, in 2024, where he publishes investigations and news.

Early career

In his youth Camilleri was a member of Moviment Graffitti.[2] During this time, he was arrested with another member for attempting to throw red paint at the USS O'Bannon American warship, which was temporarily berthed in Malta. As he was a minor at the time of the crime, his name was not published. He was conditionally discharged for involuntarily damaging police uniforms, and fined €100.[3][4]

Camilleri studied at the University of Malta. As a student, he edited a student newspaper called Ir-Realtà.[5][6] During his university years, in 2009, he published Alex Vella Gera's short story Li Tkisser Sewwi (trans. Fix What You Break) in Ir-Realtà.[7] Vella Gera's short story is a first person male narrative about female objectification and sexual violence.[8] The publication was promptly banned from the University of Malta, and Camilleri was indicted to court along with the author for publishing obscenities and pornography.[9] This arrest took place during a time when censorship laws were being applied across the arts sector.[10] After the arrest, he organized a pressure group called Front Against Censorship, which lobbied for the removal of censorship laws from the arts. Camilleri and Vella Gera were released from all charges by the Maltese courts.[11] For his contributions to art and literature in Malta, Camilleri was awarded a Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (M.Q.R.) in 2013 by Malta's President George Abela.[12][6] Vella Gera was also offered the award but turned it down.[13]

National Book Council

In 2013, Camilleri was appointed Executive Chairman of Malta's National Book Council. During his tenure he introduced Malta's first Public Lending Rights scheme,[14] began Malta's participation at the London Book Fair,[15] and founded the Malta Book Fund.[16]

Camilleri also pushed for the exportation of Maltese literature,[17] describing Immanuel Mifsud and Walid Nabhan as two of the most representative contemporary Maltese authors around the world in an interview with journalist Ramona Depares.[18]

After the 2019 Malta political crisis, Camilleri became very critical of the government owing to complications arising from his own position on Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder investigation.[19] An example of this is evident in the cancellation of the National Book Prize Ceremony, which was due to be held at the Office of the Prime Minister in November.[20] This followed a request for his resignation from his public service post after insulting senior government officials.[21] He apologized, and he said that the request for resignation had been withdrawn after the apology.[22]

His contract with the National Book Council was not renewed in 2021.[23] He said this was due to political discrimination because of his criticism of the Labour administration.[24][25] He criticised his successor and said that he was denied a lifetime achievement award.[26][27] He said that the chairman, who is a novelist also named Mark Camilleri, discriminated against his publishing house, which the chairman denied.[28][29] The Constitutional Court ruled in 2025 that Camilleri had been discriminated against by the new administration of the Book Council, specifically by refusing to review his book because of the political content of the book, but found that he had not been unfairly dismissed from his role.[30][31]

Publications

Books

His output as a historian includes the books A Materialist Revision of Maltese History 870-1919 (2016, SKS, ISBN 9789993217435) and A Materialist Revision of Maltese History 1919-1979 (2018, SKS, ISBN 9789993217565).[32] In the first book, Camilleri said that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage had deliberately concealed archaeological evidence to gloss over Malta's Islamic history, and he called for the publication of all archaeological items in its inventory.[33] In 2020 he also called for relocation of a statue of Queen Victoria from the centre of Valletta.[34][35]

In his book A Rent-Seeker's Paradise (2021, Dialekta, ISBN 9789918953516), Camilleri said that six Malta Government rebel members of parliament had asked Joseph Muscat to resign from Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party during Malta's political crisis in December 2019.[36]

Camilleri is a self-published author through his publishing house, Dar Camilleri,[37] which he founded in 2021. Publications include his satirical novel Ġaħan fl-Aqwa Żmien (2022, ISBN 9789918953523),[38] L-Antologija ta' Letteratura Mqarba (2022, ISBN 9789918953530),[37] The Life and Times of Juan Bautista Azopardo (2023, ISBN 978-9918-9535-4-7),[39] and the English-language translation The Anthology of Mischievous Maltese Literature (2024, ISBN 978-1-3999-5580-5).[40]

Arts Council Malta awarded a €25,000 contract to Camillieri's publishing house to write a report about the culture industry in Malta.[41] In May 2025, the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association questioned and requested disclosure of the criteria for the award.[42]

Journalism and press

In 2021, he published online chats between alleged Daphne Caruana Galizia murderer Yorgen Fenech and Maltese politician Edward Zammit Lewis.[43] In 2023, he released chats between Fenech and Maltese politician Rosianne Cutajar.[44] This led to the resignation of Cutajar from the Malta Government's parliamentary group,[45] which also triggered her removal from the Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Malta.[46] The Criminal Court charged Camilleri over the release of the chats involving Cutajar, interpreting this as contempt of court in the context of Fenech's ongoing judicial process.[47][48] Camilleri asked the First Hall of the Civil Court to declare that his publication of the chats was in the public interest.[49] The Constitutional Court dismissed his case in June 2025, ruling that his rights had not been breached.[50][51] In September 2025, the Criminal Court found Camilleri guilty of contempt of court over the publication of chats between Fenech and Cutajar, and the court fined him €1000.[52][53]

In April 2025, Camilleri was found guilty of defamation against blogger Simon Mercieca due to an article Camilleri published in 2023.[54] The court ordered him to pay €2,500 in damages to Mercieca.[55][56]

In November 2024, he launched The Maltese Herald, an independent news website.[57] The Maltese Herald is registered as an electronic news outlet with the Department of Information of the Government of Malta.[58] In 2026, businessman Simon Cusens sued Camilleri for libel related to an article he wrote in The Maltese Herald.[59][60]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Book: A materialist revision of Maltese history, 870-1919". L-Università ta' Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Debono, James (20 April 2018). "Moviment Graffitti: Since 1994, fighting the power". Malta Today. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "Two students acquitted of trying to damage US warship". Times of Malta. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "Graffitti Members cleared of damaging USS O' Bannon". The Malta Independent. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Gagging order on GU clinic head 'lifted'". Times of Malta. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 Vella, Matthew (17 December 2013). "'I love the Republic', says anti-censorship campaigner". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Zammit, Lara (24 November 2022). "Anthology of subversive Maltese literature to be launched". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Peregin, Christian (7 November 2009). "Police likely to arraign student editor". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Schembri, David (17 March 2010). "Writer to face charges for Ir-Realta story". Times of Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  10. ↑ O'Mahony, Jennifer (5 August 2010). "An obscene attack on Maltese culture". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  11. ↑ Cocks, Paul (4 March 2017). "Front Against Censorship: Media bill contradicts Labour's electoral manifesto". Malta Today. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Republic Day • Armed Forces, transgender who challenged State, and face of anti-censorship honoured". Malta Today. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  13. ↑ Vella, Matthew (13 December 2013). "Vella Gera turns down Republic Day medal". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Carabott, Sarah (30 October 2014). "Authors to be paid for library lending". Times of Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "NBC at London Book Fair". The Malta Independent. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Malta Book Fund to foster cultural growth in the local book market". Malta Today. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  17. ↑ Depares, Ramona (6 March 2019). "'High priority' on exporting Maltese literature". Times of Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  18. ↑ Rossetti, Chip (2 May 2016). "Malta's Might: A Few Words With Mark Camilleri". Publishing Perspectives. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  19. ↑ Camilleri, Neil (27 December 2020). "The outspoken one: We voted for Muscat in 2017 fully aware there was corruption – Mark Camilleri". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "National Book Council prize ceremony cancelled due to 'heavy shadow' over OPM". The Malta Independent. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Martin, Ivan (16 December 2020). "Chairman defies calls to resign after spat with Yorgen Fenech lawyer". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "Book chair apologises for 'foul language', says resignation call withdrawn". Times of Malta. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "Mark Camilleri no longer National Book Council chairman after contract is not renewed". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  24. ↑ "Mark Camilleri claims discrimination in his removal from National Book Council chairmanship". The Malta Independent. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  25. ↑ Agius, Matthew (17 June 2022). "Mark Camilleri claims political discrimination in his removal from National Book Council chairmanship, refusal to promote book". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  26. ↑ Calleja, Claudia (11 October 2021). "Former book council head lashes out at successor and demands lifetime award". Times of Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  27. ↑ "'I will be back', Mark Camilleri pledges as contract expires". Times of Malta. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  28. ↑ Magri, Giulia (23 April 2023). "Mark Camilleri slams book council for trying to 'destroy' his publishing house". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  29. ↑ Magri, Giulia (24 April 2023). "Book Council head denies Mark Camilleri's discrimination claims". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  30. ↑ Balzan, Jurgen (14 March 2025). "Court rules National Book Council discriminated against Mark Camilleri - Newsbook". Newsbook Malta. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  31. ↑ Galdes, Marc (14 March 2025). "Court rules Mark Camilleri was discriminated against by book council". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "A new perspective on Maltese history". Times of Malta. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  33. ↑ "A materialist revision of Maltese history". Times of Malta. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  34. ↑ Cilia, Johnathan (16 June 2020). "Replace Queen Victoria With Statue Of A Maltese Intellectual, Book Council Chairman Says". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  35. ↑ Vassallo, Raphael (18 June 2020). "Remove Queen Victoria's statue? 'We are not amused'..." Malta Today. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  36. ↑ Camilleri, Michaela Pia (15 October 2021). "Resign or else... said 6 Ministers to Muscat". Newsbook Malta. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  37. 1 2 Zammit, Lara (24 November 2022). "Anthology of subversive Maltese literature to be launched". Times of Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  38. ↑ Zammit, Lara (11 July 2022). "'Ġaħan fl-Aqwa Żmien': Mark Camilleri releases satirical novel". Times of Malta. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  39. ↑ "Review: The remarkable life of a Maltese corsair". Times of Malta. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  40. ↑ "An anthology of Maltese controversial literary texts". Times of Malta (Press release). 19 February 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  41. ↑ Azzopardi, Karl (19 May 2025). "Mark Camilleri gets €25,000 service contract with Arts Council". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  42. ↑ Azzopardi, Karl (20 May 2025). "Artist association questions lack of transparency in awarding of Mark Camilleri's €25,000 contract". Malta Today. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  43. ↑ Balzan, Jurgen (11 November 2021). "Justice minister on Yorgen Fenech friendship: 'I never took instructions from anyone'". Newsbook Malta. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  44. ↑ "Camilleri releases thousands of chat messages between Fenech and Cutajar". Times of Malta. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  45. ↑ "Rosianne Cutajar resigns from Labour's parliamentary group". Times of Malta. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  46. ↑ "Labour Party seeks to remove Rosianne Cutajar from parliamentary committee". Times of Malta. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  47. ↑ Agius, Matthew; Azzopardi, Karl (23 March 2023). "Judge orders criminal action against Camilleri over Rosianne Cutajar WhatsApp leaks". Malta Today. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  48. ↑ Agius, Monique (5 November 2024). "Journalist Mark Camilleri charged with contempt of court over WhatsApp chats". NewsBook Malta. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "Messages published by Mark Camilleri are identical to those found in the records of criminal proceedings". Television Malta. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  50. ↑ "Mark Camilleri loses court case over Rosianne Cutajar chat publication". Times of Malta. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  51. ↑ Attard, Dylan (1 July 2025). "Mark Camilleri fails to defend WhatsApp chat leaks in court - Newsbook". Newsbook Malta. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  52. ↑ Agius, Monique (18 September 2025). "Mark Camilleri fined €1,000 for publishing Yorgen Fenech chats". Times of Malta. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  53. ↑ Farrugia, Matthew (18 September 2025). "Mark Camilleri handed €1,000 fine after publishing Yorgen Fenech WhatsApp chats". Malta Today. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  54. ↑ Balzan, Jurgen (25 April 2025). "Mark Camilleri found guilty of libelling Simon Mercieca in mafia claims". Newsbook Malta. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  55. ↑ Borg, Jaelle (25 April 2025). "Mark Camilleri found guilty of defamation against Simon Mercieca". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  56. ↑ Galdes, Marc (24 April 2025). "Mark Camilleri libeled blogger over Fenech family payment claim - ruling". Times of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  57. ↑ Camilleri, Mark (21 October 2024). "Markcamilleri.org is dead. The Maltese Herald is born". The Maltese Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  58. ↑ "Media Resources: Electronic News". Government of Malta. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  59. ↑ Xuereb, Ħaley (20 April 2026). "Mark Camilleri questions basis of libel case as court urges possible settlement". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  60. ↑ Xuereb, Ħaley (27 April 2026). "Mark Camilleri stands by reporting in libel case by Simon Cusens over Technoline articles". Malta Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Camilleri&oldid=1367762642"