Discussion: Malta 4 years after the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia | Reporters Without Borders
Channel: Reporter ohne Grenzen
Date: 2021-11-24

Malta four years after the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia: how can journalists work in a climate of intimidation and impunity?

On October 16, 2017, the investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered in Malta. She paid the highest price for exposing and denouncing corruption right up to the highest levels of government. Four years later, the case is still far from being solved. One of the contract killers was convicted, but the remaining assassins, middlemen and masterminds have not yet had to answer to court. The reluctance of the judiciary and investigative authorities to this day encourages those who want to silence critical journalism in Malta.

The final report of a public inquiry in July 2021 that “the State has to shoulder responsibility” for Daphne Caruana Galizia's death by creating a pervasive atmosphere of impunity. The journalist had to live with death threats for many years. At the time of her death, 47 defamation cases or SLAPPs were pending against her, some of which her family has to deal with until today. Even if several high-ranking politicians, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, had to resign as a result of the murder investigation, the toxic atmosphere in Malta has not changed to this day: Critical journalists still see themselves confronted with a climate of hatred caused by leading political forces and their army of internet trolls. Malta ranks 158th out of 180 countries on RSF’s World Press Freedom Index. Since 2013, the country has dropped 36 places.

How is it even possible to work as a journalist in this climate? To what extent can international media networks offer protection? And what are the chances that the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia will be fully solved after all? This and more will be discussed by:

Caroline Muscat, founder and editor of the investigative Maltese news portal The Shift, which has repeatedly been the target of hate campaigns, lawsuits and discrimination. Muscat is currently in Berlin as part of an RSF scholarship.

Rebecca Vincent, RSF Director of International Campaigns. She is in charge of the Daphne Caruana Galizia case for RSF and has been to Malta many times over the past four years.
Presentation: Juliane Matthey, RSF press officer

When: Wednesday, November 24th at 5:00 p.m.
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