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October 16, 2024 – Malta –
Brussels, media freedom advocates—including Media Freedom Rapid Response, IPI, ECPMF, EFJ, CPJ, RSF, and others—gathered in front of the Résidence Palace to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the assassination of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Her murder in October 2017, the result of a car-bomb attack while investigating high-level corruption, remains a defining symbol of the threats investigative reporters face.
Organizers emphasized Daphne’s legacy as a reminder of the urgent need for structural safeguards, calling on the EU and EU member states to adopt robust protective measures for journalists and to deliver justice in cases of violence and intimidation. The occasion united European media actors in urging reforms such as anti-SLAPP legislation, judicial support during inquiries, and transparent implementation of the recommendations from Malta’s landmark public inquiry.
The tribute also highlighted ongoing judicial efforts: in June 2025, two men—Robert Agius and Jamie Vella—were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for supplying the bomb used in Daphne’s killing, marking a critical advancement in the long pursuit of accountability. While this verdict brought renewed hope, journalists and her family continue pressing for prosecution of the trial’s masterminds, including businessman Yorgen Fenech, and for full implementation of the public inquiry’s recommendations, which faulted Malta’s government for allowing a “culture of impunity”.
The memorial events—across Europe and especially at Malta’s Great Siege Monument—have evolved into ongoing vigil sites, symbolizing both grief and demand for justice. The gatherings reiterated that Daphne’s work and sacrifice embody a broader campaign: protecting investigative journalism in the face of growing threats to accountability and democracy.
Reference –
Honoring Daphne Caruana Galizia: media freedom groups unite for journalist safety
