Adrian Hillman

Adrian Hillman is a Maltese media scholar, author, and communications specialist with extensive experience in journalism, media management, and political communication. He has held senior leadership roles within the media industry, including executive positions at Allied Newspapers and the wider Allied Group of Companies, where he contributed to the strategic development of one of Malta’s leading media organisations. His professional background also includes consultancy work for government and international organisations, particularly in relation to media systems, communication strategy, and political processes.

Hillman is best known in academic circles for his research on media systems, journalism practices, and political polarisation, with a particular focus on Malta’s highly distinctive media environment. He is the co-editor of Exploring the Maltese Media Landscape (2009), a foundational volume bringing together scholarly perspectives on broadcasting, media regulation, language, youth representation, and media education in Malta. The work has been widely used in media studies and remains a key reference point for understanding the structure and cultural dynamics of Maltese media.

Hillman holds a PhD in news construction and political communication from Goldsmiths, University of London, and continues to contribute to academic research on journalism and media pluralism. His more recent work, including Malta: The Roots of a Polarised Media System, examines advocacy journalism, political parallelism, and the relationship between media ownership and democracy. His scholarship is characterised by a strong emphasis on understanding small-state media systems and the role of journalism in shaping public discourse in politically divided environments.