PN Slams Podcast With Convicted Sexual Harasser

The Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) has issued a statement condemning sexual harassment and any attempt to minimise or justify such behaviour.

The party stressed that sexual harassment can never be excused and that the suffering experienced by victims does not end with a court sentence.

It added that efforts to defend or justify the actions of an aggressor amount to further harm to those affected.

The statement criticised the use of a podcast hosted by Ricky Caruana to provide a platform to an individual found guilty by the courts of sexual harassment.

Shadow Minister for Equality Graziella Attard Previ said that attempting to rehabilitate the public image of a convicted offender is unacceptable, particularly when the podcast is sponsored by a government agency.

‘The fact that Ricky Caruana is also a broadcaster on the Public Broadcasting Service places responsibilities upon him even when he is not appearing on the national station’, she said. ‘Responsibilities which he is failing to uphold, as one would expect from a serious and responsible presenter.’

‘This is not the first time that this presenter has expressed misogynistic views that are harmful to women’, the statement reads. ‘Even when the first case occurred, several women’s organisations and other bodies had condemned his conduct, including the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality and the Malta Women’s Lobby. Unfortunately, it appears that nothing has changed.’

The statement ended with an appeal for responsible use of social media as well as that such opinions should have no place on any form of media in this day and age.

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