It is with deep sadness that I find myself penning a letter of regret to your newspaper regarding the despicable act perpetrated against your courageous columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia. I could never envisage anything like that ever happening in Malta.

Here in Australia we are mourning the passing of one of this country’s foremost journalists, namely one Richard Carleton. Like Daphne, he was fearless when he had to ask a sharp question to whoever was facing him. His health was never the best yet he didn’t flinch when given an assignment to cover a tough spot, be it war-torn Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Balkans or wherever. Indeed he used to welcome it; get there, ask the “mongrel question” to whoever it had to be asked and cover the story. His medium was TV.

Malta badly needs journalists of the high calibre of Daphne Caruana Galizia. I sincerely hope that this cowardly act will not weaken her fight for what ever else she thinks is right and puts pen to paper.

The immigration problem Malta is facing can only be solved by a vibrant debate and a humane solution reached intelligently and not at the point of a gun or a petrol-filled jerrycan.

I very much admire Daphne for her courage and discerning way of writing. It would be a very sad day if she were ever silenced by this very evil, small-thinking minority.

Emanuel Grima

Sydney

NSW AUSTRALIA