Media Freedom in Malta: Murder, Disinformation and Legal Intimidation
Over the four years since the murder of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017, her family and friends have carried out a courageous campaign for justice. Their tenacity has resulted in bringing those accused in her murder to trial and created a wider anti-corruption movement in Maltese politics and society.
Despite Caruana Galizia’s murder shining an international spotlight on the island, independent journalists have continued to face significant harassment, including disinformation campaigns and legal intimidation. Almost all (*if not all) major independent Maltese media have faced an attempted SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) as a result of their reporting on matters in the public interest. Many of these have been facilitated by UK based law firms, an experience also shared by Caruana Galizia prior to her assassination.
This event, co-organised by the Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ) and the Foreign Policy Centre (FPC), will explore the state of media freedom in Malta today. The speakers will discuss what the campaign for justice for Daphne has achieved and how independent journalism can be better protected in the future.
Listen to an audio recording of the event below and you can watch the video of the event here.
This event will be talking place on Zoom.
Caroline Muscat, Editor in Chief, The Shift
Paul Caruana Galizia, journalist and son of Daphne Caruana Galizia
Rebecca Vincent, Director of International Campaigns, RSF and a member of FPC’s Advisory Council
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers
Chair: Lana Estemirova, Host of The Trouble with the Truth Podcast and FPC Fellow