Diplomats Call for Stronger Press Protections on Daphne Anniversary
· Updated
In brief
- Diplomatic missions in Malta marked the ninth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination with a joint statement.
- Envoys from Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, and Spain paid tribute to the murdered journalist's courage.
- The missions urged authorities to fully implement public inquiry recommendations and reinforce safety protections for reporters.
Six diplomatic missions in Malta have issued a joint statement to mark the ninth anniversary of the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The statement was released by the embassies and high commissions of Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain, acting as part of the Media Freedom Coalition.
The envoys honoured Caruana Galizia's courage and dedication to uncovering corruption, noting that her death in a car bomb explosion outside her Bidnija home in October 2017 remains a stark reminder of the risks faced by investigative reporters.
In their joint message, the diplomatic representatives called on Maltese authorities to fully implement the recommendations of the independent public inquiry into the assassination.
The inquiry, concluded in 2021, found that the state must bear responsibility for the murder after creating an atmosphere of impunity that left the journalist unprotected.
The diplomats stressed that substantial reforms are essential to reinforce institutional safeguards for journalists and ensure that members of the press can work without intimidation or fear.
The Spin Room
Low media divide. Both outlets reported the joint diplomatic statement and its calls for journalist protections in a straightforward, consistent manner.
Updates
- : Updated with reporting from MaltaToday and The Malta Independent: envoys emphasised that domestic media reforms must align with international standards, particularly regarding anti-SLAPP protections.