MARTIN DEBATTISTA speaks to Lara Zammit about his new book on the role of Maltese newspapers during World War II. LZ: The Front Page on the Front Line is a new book on the role of Maltese newspapers during World War II. What was the extent of newspapers’ influence during this period? Did they influence the course of things? MD: As in every war, propaganda plays a major role. The media set-up during WWII in Malta was such that, though the literacy rates were low, newspapers were the important news medium. Rediffusion was still in its infancy, and few had wireless radio at home (and this was banned at the start of the war). TV had not yet been introduced. Thus, the Times of Malta and The Sunday Times of Malta were a vital read to the English-speaking community and the foreign servicemen. On the other hand, Il-Berqa, with a higher circulation than her English-language sister papers, was in the vernacular. A cartoon reassuring the Maltese at the start of World War II that Malta was a strong fortress. The truth was completely the opposite, as confirmed by documents and the memoirs of Governor William Dobbie. Photos: The Front Page on The Front Line Their contribution towards the...