World media chiefs call for EU inquiry into Caruana Galizia's murder

The heads of eight of the world’s largest news organisations have called for the European Commission to investigate the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and the independence of the media in Malta.

The editors and directors have written a letter to Frans Timmermans, the first vice-president of the commission, which describes the murder of Caruana Galizia as “shocking” and an “appalling reminder” of the dangers that journalists and citizens practising journalism face as they try to uncover corruption and criminal behaviour.

“We request that you use all powers at your disposal to ensure that Daphne’s death is fully investigated, and to send a clear signal of support to journalists working in the public interest, in Malta and all over the world.”

The signatories include Katharine Viner, the editor-in-chief of the Guardian, Dean Baquet, executive editor of the New York Times, Jérôme Fenoglio, director of Le Monde, and James Harding, the director of news and current affairs at the BBC. Other editors to sign the letter are Wolfgang Krach of Süddeutsche Zeitung, Lionel Barber of the Financial Times, Mario Calabresi at La Repubblica and Antonio Caño, of El Pais.

Caruana Galizia was killed on 16 October by a car bomb near her home. Thousands of people attended a rally after Caruana Galizia’s death demanding justice for the journalist.

The investigation into her murder is being led by magistrate Anthony Vella with the assistance of the Maltese police, together with the input of the FBI and Dutch forensic officers.

The editors and directors said the murder cannot be allowed to achieve the “clear objective of silencing her investigation into corruption at the highest levels in Malta”. They also point to analysis by the European commission that raised concerns about the lack of political independence of the Maltese media and that it was the “only EU country that has such extensive media ownership by the political parties”.

The letter to Timmermans adds: “Daphne’s murder, combined with the structural issues the commission identified, demonstrate the need for a full investigation into the state of media independence in Malta by the commission.

“We ask that you use your office to engage the Maltese government in urgent dialogue to ensure that it is aware of its obligations as a member of the European Union to uphold the rule of law, and to maintain press freedom and free expression.

“The murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia demonstrates the danger that journalists face in the pursuit of truth. It also demonstrates the fear that the corrupt and powerful have of being exposed.”