Journalists gathered in Valletta on Friday morning to hold a vigil for journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Friday, 16th October, marked nine years since she was brutally assassinated by a car bomb while driving down the road from her home in Bidnija.
Organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM), a wreath was placed at the foot of her memorial in Valletta, opposite the law courts.
Journalists from many media houses were in attendance, including Kevin Schembri Orland and Julia Falzon from Content House.
Delivering a speech, President of IGM, Nicole Meilak condemned the murder.
She said that even if someone doesn’t agree with a person, “violence crosses a line which should never be crossed.”
Violence can take many forms, she said. “Nine years ago it took the worst form of violence, the assassination of a journalist.”
“Today, violence against journalists is also taking place digitally, from behind a computer or from a mobile phone (…) everyone has a right to scrutinise our work and express disagreement, but when that line is crossed – when legitimate scrutiny turns to bullying or threats – we ned to condemn that behaviour and stop it before the situation escalates.” She said that there is no tolerance for violence.
She mentioned the shock many felt at the recent verdict, which found businessman Yorgen Fenech not guilty of complicity in the murder.
She said that when people start losing trust in the capabilities of the institutions, the media’s role becomes even more essential.
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