The Shift is a community-funded online news portal based in Malta dedicated to investigative journalism and the defence of press freedom.

Born following the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, The Shift’s founders believe that there has never been a more urgent need in the country for journalism that speaks truth to power, without fear or favour – within a media landscape stifled by political interference and control.

That is why we ensure our independence by being the only outlet that refuses to accept funding or advertising from the government or political parties.

Such dedication to independence, alongside our in-depth investigative reporting has been acknowledged by media partners such as Reporters Without Borders and the International Press Institute.

It has also been endorsed by bodies such as the US Embassy that awarded The Shift the 2020 Award for Courage, and Financial Times’ Sifted that named us one of the Best European Start-Ups in 2021. The Shift’s co-founder, Caroline Muscat was also awarded Reporters Without Borders’ 2019 Press Freedom Prize for Independence as the founder of The Shift.

Focusing on in-depth investigations and press freedom advocacy, we aim to be a catalyst in shifting the media landscape in Malta, which is dominated by political party media ownership and government dominance of the public sphere.

To ensure its independence in a highly polarised media landscape, The Shift does not accept funds from political parties or government. It is the only newsroom that publishes an annual financial statement for our readers outlining funds and expenditure.

Our work is driven by the hope of leading to a fairer, more democratic society.