IFJ and EFJ condemn murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia

October 17, 2017

Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered yesterday around 3pm by a car bomb in the town of Bidnija, near her family home. The International and European Federations of Journalists condemned today this killing.

Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, was known for her investigative journalism and her blog Running Commentary, which was one of the most widely read websites in Malta.

The journalist has been sued many times for her blog posts in which she revealed several corruption scandals involving Maltese politicians.

The EFJ had denounced in February 2017 the freeze of her bank accounts as well as the libel suits filed against her by Maltese Economy Minister and his consultant, following a report revealing that both men visited a brothel during an official trip in Germany.

In 2016, she was named by Politico as one of “28 people who are shaping, shaking and stirring Europe”, after being the first to break news of Maltese politicians’ involvement in the Panama Papers leak.

IFJ President Philippe Leruth said: "The murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia leaves the journalism community in shock. We demand immediate investigation into her killing as this brutal assassination is a clear attack against press freedom. We send our deepest sympathy to Daphné's family."

“We are appalled by yet another killed journalist in Europe. This killing and its circumstances must be swiftly and thoroughly investigated. It reminds us that the safety of journalists must still be considered a priority in the European Union,” said EFJ president Mogens Blicher Bjerregård.

According to media report, Daphne Caruana Galizia had filed a police report 15 days ago saying she was being threatened.

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 16


For more information contact:
International Federation of Journalists
Phone: + 32 2 235 22 16
Website: www.ifj.org