On World Press Freedom Day, the IĠM salutes journalists for the work they do to uncover the truth, keep power to account and give a voice to the voiceless.

"Many times, this work is done with great personal sacrifices in a climate that is not always welcoming to the free press," the IĠM said.

The IĠM also stands in solidarity with all those journalists who have suffered abuse, ridicule and threats because of the work they do and recalls the ultimate sacrifice Daphne Caruana Galizia had to pay for her efforts to uncover corruption.

On this day, the IĠM said that it cannot stress enough the importance of the free media for democracy. "As the fourth estate, the media and journalism remain crucial cogs to ensure the free flow of information that is necessary for citizens to make informed choices and be able to stand up for their rights. It is the responsibility of the State to ensure that an environment is created that values the work journalists do even when this work questions and probes the actors of State."

The IĠM recalls the findings of the Caruana Galizia Public Inquiry last year, which showed how various people in power allowed a culture of impunity to grow, making it easier for anybody with an axe to grind, or something to hide, to target journalists and their work. "The end result was the murder of a journalist. This must not be allowed to happen again, which is why the government and its agencies must adopt a code of conduct that champions transparency and the importance of giving journalists timely replies to their questions."

"But beyond the importance of enabling the work of journalists, a culture of accountability must take root and agencies entrusted with investigating crime in any shape or form should do their job without fear or favour. One of the most important ways of giving value to the work journalists do to uncover ethical shortcomings, wrongdoing, crime and corruption is to ensure that this leads to official reprimands, resignations, police investigations and prosecutions." The IĠM takes note of the setting up of the Media Experts Committee by the Prime Minister earlier this year and hopes that the work being done starts bearing fruit. The IĠM "hopes that when the Committee presents its first report with reactions and proposals on the laws suggested by the government to strengthen the protection of journalists, no time is wasted to table the necessary legal amendments before parliament."

Finally, the IĠM expresses solidarity with Ukrainian journalists who are trying to carry out their job in extremely difficult circumstances as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "The murder of journalists on their job in Ukraine is a stark reminder of the hostility journalists continue to face around the world."