Journalist representatives from all newsrooms in Malta gathered  this afternoon to condemn yesterday’s terrorist attack on the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, in which at least five journalists were killed.

The statement below was read out.

“We are saddened by this unprecedented attack on the media and the values of liberty it represents.

We present our sincere condolences to these colleagues’ as well as other innocent people killed in this incident and their families

We also extend our solidarity to the French people.

We believe in the rule of law, democracy and human rights and we believe that the response to this horrible tragedy is to reaffirm these values that we cherish so much as part of our European heritage.

As members of the media, we affirm that the much cherished right of freedom of expression, has to live on without fear of consequence.”