International mission finds Maltese authorities are failing to safeguard press freedom, calls for public inquiry in murder case of Daphne Caruana Galizia

RSF UK Bureau Director Rebecca Vincent and head of RSF’s EU-Balkans desk Pauline Adès-Mével travelled to Malta along with representatives of the Committee to Protect Journalists, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, the European Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, and PEN International, to raise concerns about a lack of justice a full year after the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and to assess press freedom conditions in the country.

The delegation met with senior government officials including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici, and Attorney General Peter Grech, as well as a wide range of journalists and civil society representatives to understand their views about the atmosphere for journalism and about the rule of law in Malta. The delegation also monitored hearings in defamation lawsuits that continue posthumously against Daphne Caruana Galizia.

“Although Prime Minister Muscat told us he is satisfied with the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder, we are not. A full year on, the three suspects arraigned in connection with the case have not yet been brought to trial, and there has been no apparent progress in identifying the masterminds behind the attack. This is a far cry from justice; every single person involved in the planning, facilitating, and carrying out of this heinous assassination must be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said RSF UK Bureau Director Rebecca Vincent.

“We call again for an immediate public inquiry to be launched to establish whether Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination could have been prevented. Until we understand why and how this happened, the Maltese authorities cannot sufficiently act to protect others. Journalists continuing to pursue public interest investigative reporting remain at risk in Malta”, said RSF EU-Balkans desk head Pauline Adès-Mével.

The delegation concluded that as a result of the assassination, Malta’s international image has been severely negatively impacted. The only way to start to repair this reputational damage will be to achieve full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and her family.

The mission’s full joint statement of findings is available via download below.