Between October 13 and 17, 2022, an international press freedom mission will visit Malta, five years after the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on October 16, 2017. The visit to the country follows to similar missions organized in previous years.

Representatives of ARTICLE 19 Europe, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the European Center for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the International Institute de la presse (IPI) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have requested a meeting with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and the ministers concerned to try to pursue dialogue with the Maltese government. In addition, they will meet representatives of civil society, journalists and other key actors.

The delegation will seek to meet:

• Prime Minister Robert Abela and relevant ministers (meeting to be confirmed);
• Information and Data Protection Commissioner, Ian Deguara;
• Members of the diplomatic community and representatives of the European Commission; and
• Maltese journalists, media workers and civil society organisations.

Despite widespread outcry, including from the organizations represented in the delegation, for full justice and accountability for the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the legal proceedings did not so far made only very limited progress. In addition, the government has been slow to implement the press freedom reforms recommended by the landmark public inquiry, and it has failed to hold meaningful public consultations on legislative proposals.

Accordingly, as in previous years, the continued need for justice and accountability for the assassination of Caruana Galizia will be high on the delegation’s agenda. In addition, the representatives will also focus on the other systemic failures that continue to negatively affect the press freedom climate in Malta. They will also support Caruana Galizia’s family and national civil society through local commemoration events.