Il-Kenniesa and Reporters Without Borders join forces to protect journalists

Il-Kenniesa and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) will mark the 10th Anniversary since Daphne Caruana Galizia launched her blog Running Commentary with a walk outside Parliament on Friday 2 March at 6pm.

“We invite every single person who read Daphne’s work, who admired her, those who didn’t but respected her right to write it, journalists and media houses in Malta who claim ‘the pen conquers fear’ to be there with us,” Il-Kenniesa said on the event remembering the murdered journalist.

In a press statement, il-Kenniesa said that when a journalist is assassinated in broad daylight, no one is safe, “but this is more than that. We are doing this because we want our Prime Minister (Joseph Muscat) to understand the implications of harassing a journalist, colluding with companies that use SLAPP lawsuits on media houses and journalists in Malta, and going out of his way to get citizens of a country to forget about Daphne Caruana Galizia – a journalist assassinated for doing her job.”

They added that Muscat’s actions, or lack of, have spread among other MPs that Caruana Galizia investigated, “who have decided to take on the role of spreading more hate on a journalist who was assassinated. This is not a government that supports free press and free speech.”

Il-Kenniesa also called out Opposition leader Adrian Delia “who repeatedly referred to Daphne Caruana Galizia as a ‘Bicca Blogger’. Our leaders are supposed to be there to represent us, and set a good example, and preach the importance of free speech not violate it.”

Rebecca Vincent, the Director of the London Bureau for RSF; a non-profit organisation that protects and safeguards the freedom of information and free press worldwide, will be joining the walk and speak on how the people can safeguard free press.

Vincent, is a human rights activist, writer and former diplomat. She has over 11 years of experience in the human rights field, having started as a Foreign Service Officer for the US State Department, and including other noteworthy engagements such as her work as Coordinator of the Sport for Rights Campaign. She is also an active contributor and commentator for various news, research and social media outlets in the UK.

RSF have been working endlessly on Caruana Galizia’s case and Vincent will also be speaking about RSF’s efforts on Daphne Caruana Galizia’s investigation.

Il-Kenniesa also noted the assassination of Slovak investigative journalist Jan Kuciak, who was shot at his home together with his girlfriend on Sunday.

“This is yet another hit for free speech in the EU, and it is unacceptable,” Il-Kenniesa said.

“We ask everyone to put aside their political differences, because ultimately here, we are all fighting for the same thing. Anyone who either picks up a newspaper on their way to work, or reads the news from their phone, or is a reporter, journalist, or aspiring to be or a voter in general, would understand how this is not just about Daphne Caruana Galizia, and whether you liked her style of writing or not, but more importantly a threat to our right to know and a threat to any journalist to write. Let’s all come together and ask that Free Press is given utmost importance and protection to journalists and whistleblowers.”