In anticipation of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, human rights advocate Ewelina U. Ochab highlights the Daphne Project, named after journalist and anti-corruption activist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who many believe was killed for her work on the Panama Papers.
In the era of so-called ‘Fake News’, serious investigative journalism is invaluable. Despite this need, journalists who practice in this field continue to face a serious threat. In 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia became a symbol of the struggle for freedom of speech and investigative journalism, having paid the ultimate price for her investigative journalistic work.
[…]The murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia does not mean that her investigative work has come to an end. To the contrary. Under the name of ‘the Daphne Project’, her work continues and is currently being conducted by 46 journalists from 16 countries. The Daphne Project aims to finish the work that Daphne began before she was violently prevented from reaching her conclusion. As the project’s motto says ‘They killed the journalist. But not the stories.’ Thanks to the Daphne Project, those behind her murder failed to kill the story. While her important work continues, it is also essential that justice is achieved for Daphne and her family. While nothing will bring back Daphne’s life, the truth about the circumstances surrounding her death and about those involved in the crime will bring much need closure.
Serious investigative journalism is invaluable for democracy and does not pose a threat to it. Issues of corruption by those in power must be exposed. People must be fully informed about what is happening in their countries. Politicians must be held accountable for any their actions. Those who conduct such important investigative work, as Daphne Caruana Galizia did, must be afforded the highest protections. Any attacks on their exercise of freedom of speech must be properly investigated and those responsible brought to justice. This should be our goal not only for the World Press Freedom Day.
Source: The Daphne Project and the Ultimate Price for Seeking the Truth | Forbes