The Speaker of the House of Representatives Carmelo Abela has stressed that full justice is needed for the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, saying that the case remains a matter of importance not only for her family but for journalists, society and Malta as a whole.

Speaking at an activity bringing together MPs and journalists on Friday evening, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), Abela said that almost nine years after Caruana Galizia's murder, the principle remained that journalists must be able to question, investigate and report without fear.

"The wish should be that full justice is done, that the truth emerges and that everyone who has to answer for their actions does so according to the law," Abela said.

He said justice was needed "first and foremost" for Caruana Galizia's family, but also for journalists carrying out their work today, society in general and Malta.

Abela also referred to the dangers faced by journalists internationally, pointing to the war in Gaza, where he said international statistics indicated that at least 240 journalists and media workers had been killed since October 2023. Journalists had also lost their lives covering the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, he said.

"When journalists in conflict zones cannot do their work safely, the possibility that the world knows what is happening is also lost," Abela said.

He stressed that the relationship between politicians and journalists should be based on mutual respect. Journalists had a responsibility to verify information, establish facts, provide context and distinguish between fact and opinion, while politicians should not regard difficult questions as attacks.

"A difficult question is not an attack," he said. "Criticism does not create enemies."

Abela also warned against the growing spread of manipulated or artificially generated information, saying that social media had given everyone the ability to publish information to thousands of people within seconds.

"This is precisely why professional journalism has become more important," he said.

Abela appealed to journalists to follow Parliament's work closely, arguing that greater public awareness of parliamentary proceedings would bring the institution closer to citizens. He also urged MPs to show respect within Parliament, saying that strong debate and substantial political differences should never become an excuse for disrespect.

IĠM President Nicole Meilak similarly called for respect between politicians and journalists, but warned that the way public figures speak about the media can have consequences because of the influence they wield over the public.

She reminded politicians that part of journalism's role was to hold them accountable for their actions.

Meilak also recalled the fear that spread among journalists following Caruana Galizia's assassination, including journalists checking underneath their cars before driving away.

She said that feelings of fear had resurfaced following the verdict in the trial of Yorgen Fenech, with some IĠM members telling her they had been afraid to walk alone to their cars after the judgment.

With the ninth anniversary of Caruana Galizia's assassination approaching, Meilak reiterated the need for full justice.

She also welcomed indications from the government that planned media reforms would prioritise the protection of journalists. In particular, she welcomed Justice Minister Clifton Grima's confirmation that the maximum level of damages in libel cases would not be increased and that a system of warrants for journalists would not be introduced.

However, she insisted that journalists, as key stakeholders, must be directly involved and allowed to participate fully in the process of drawing up the reforms.