European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said insisted that press freedom is vital to maintaining a democracy, and said that he does not only want to know who killed Daphne Caruana Galizia, but who was behind it and why.

Speaking to The Malta Independent newsroom soon after attending the funeral of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was a regular contributor to the newspaper for 20 years, Tajani spoke of the plenary sessions due to take place at the European Parliament on 13 November to discuss the assassination and the state of rule of law in Malta.

“We will debate the rule of law in this country because it is impossible for a journalist to be murdered in 2017.” The last time it happened in Europe, he said, was in 1985.

We want to know who Daphne’s killer is, but we want to know also who is behind the killers, he said.

He said that a resolution will be drawn up, with a first draft expected to be completed by next week.

The EP will also be sending its representatives to examine the situation in Malta over the coming weeks, and will involve members from all EU states, a number of whom formed part of the PANA committee.

However, Tajani, stressed that he was not a “judge or policeman. My work is to always be in favour of democracy... to open the light.”

He said that the participation of Europol in the investigation showed that Europe was taking Daphne’s murder seriously.

Tajani, who is a former journalist himself, said that Caruana Galizia was “a soldier in the front line defending our values.” He repeatedly stressed the importance of press freedom and said that the profession plays a vital role in maintaining a stable and transparent democracy.

“Where is democracy without journalists?”

“I want to assure you that Malta is never alone. We want to help this country, to strengthen freedom, the press and journalists.

“I don’t know why Daphne was murdered, but this is a problem for every person in Europe. If we accept the murder today without a strong reaction, attacks on journalists will only continue.

“This is a crucial moment for democracy. Malta is never alone. Journalists are never alone.”

Tajani later also addressed a group of journalists from other newspapers who were invited to The Malta Independent offices.

He was presented with a copy of a newspaper including front pages published by The Malta Independent since Daphne's murder as well as the last column the journalist wrote. The presentation was made by Rachel Attard, news editor.

 

EP President at TMI from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.