Torrent of Loathsome Libel Suits Brought Against Assassinated Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
Her very first post was titled Zero Tolerance for Corruption.
She wrote for a decade about the deep seeded corruption of the Maltese government that won admiration and acclaim from the public and also made her a target for reprisal. On October 16th, 2017 Galizia’s life ended when a car bomb ripped through her vehicle in a mafia style execution.
Real Journalism Gets You Killed – The Murder of Panama Papers Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
Frequent targets of Galizia’s fearless journalism included the Prime Minister of Malta himself, Joseph Muscat and his political cronies. Over the years, Galizia’s reporting became a persistent thorn in the side of the government as she revealed rife corruption and collusion in the Maltese politics class.
After her appalling assassination, Prime Minister Muscat vowed to bring those responsible for her death to justice. In January, the government announced a pre-dawn raid had taken place and arrests were made in connection to the Daphne’s untimely death. Though the government made a big show of the arrests friends and family remained highly skeptical of the operation noting that none of the individuals arrested were ever the focus of Daphne’s blogging but were most likely low-level conspirators made to take the fall.
Arrests Made in Contracted Killing of Panama Papers Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia
In an outrageous and disgusting development, 34 lawsuits for libel filed against the slain journalist, including one by the PM himself (also for libel), continue to be pushed forward. The cases have been brought by Slivio Debono a staunch supporter and financial donor of the country’s Labour party. The lawyer bringing the suit on behalf of Debono also happens to be the lawyer representing one of the accused in connection with the murder of Galizia.
Representative Rebecca Vincent from RSF (Reporters Without Borders) attended the court to document the proceedings.
Reporters Without Borders, or Reporters Sans Frontières, is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization that promotes and defends freedom of information and freedom of the press. The organisation has called for a full independent investigation into Caruana Galizia’s assassination.
34 Posthumous cases of libel against Daphne Caruana Galizia remain open.
Cases Brought by Konrad Mizzi (2 cases) and Silvio Debono (19 cases) heard on March 1st, 2018.
Lawyer for Debono’s 19 libel cases, William Cuschieri is the same lawyer for a suspect in Daphne’s murder.
Silvio Debono (Labour Donor)
William Cuschieri (Lawyer)
Konrad Mizzi (Tourism Minister)
The fact that these defamation suits continue to be brought against an executed journalist, including one by Joseph Muscat demonstrates that Daphne’s enemies are not satisfied with taking her life, they’re intent on pursuing the matter until her work is discredited, disgraced and disappeared down the memory hole.
The Removal of Daphne's Memorial
Just a few days after the 10-year anniversary of Daphne’s Blog, a memorial created to honor Daphne’s life had flowers and pictures completely removed from the location. This shameless act, of course, happened in the dark of night.
Activists and supporters quickly rebuilt the memorial the following day erecting billboard banners that demanded justice for the targeted killing of the late journalist.
The latest actions have taken on a more pro-active tone from the citizens of Malta who have participated in (impromptu) demonstrations in from of the office of Joseph Muscat.
Who Killed Daphne?
Occupy Justice
A Journalist Killed – No Justice
No Resignations – No Justice
A Country Robbed – No Justice
Inspiration from Film
One of the inspirations for the large sized red and black placards has been the 2017 Oscar-nominated crime drama Three Billboards – Beyond Ebbing, Missouri. The movie starring Frances McDormand, features a woman named Mildred who puts up giant red signs near her home chastising the town’s police chief for not apprehending the man responsible for raping and killing her daughter. Not everyone in the fictional town of Ebbing support Mildred’s actions but as the movie progresses and Mildred refuses to take them down, the billboards become emblematic of her unwavering pursuit of justice.
The signs, which serve as the film’s visual focal point, are striking as a tool of protest—concise, silently confrontational, memorable.
In recent weeks, these types of billboards have appeared in demonstrations and protests in connection to major events such as: the war in Syria, the Grenfell fire, the Parkland shooting and the Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Keeping Daphne's Memory Alive
In order to celebrate the courageous life of Daphne Caruana Galizia and to counteract efforts to erase her work from memory, Daphne's family, friends and supporters have been Tweeting and posting quotes from her blog in commemoration. Daphne's assassination has sent a chill through the journalism community in Europe as investigative reporters are being targeted for their work. Journalists in Europe increasingly face harassment, intimidation, death threats, and various forms of violence.
Only a week ago, another European investigative reporter, 27-year old Slovak Jan Kuciak, was shot and killed along with his fiancé. Jan was investigating corruption and governmental ties to the Italian Mafia. A number of people have drawn some comparisons with the assassination of Galizia. These cases represent a worrying trend across the continent. There must be justice for the murders of those who speak truth to power and challenge the corrupted system.
Remember Daphne, Jan and those who give us a voice.
Remember they were harassed, intimidated, murdered and silenced.
Remember the work they did in the name of truth.
Remember them in their own words, and not how their enemies portray them.
For the Latest you can follow the sons of Daphne Caruana Galizia on Twitter
Matthew Caruana Galizia
https://twitter.com/mcaruanagalizia
Paul Caruana Galizia
https://twitter.com/pcaruanagalizia
It's simple: the point of these lawsuits is to discredit Galizia and her work, so that no investigations are carried out in the future.
Yeah there is nothing about this in the mainstream media either, I had never even heard of this case before. Thanks for a new rabbit hole to dive down!
I actually was actively searching for some updates on the arrests made in January, but I couldn't find anything really. Then I checked her son Matthew's Twitter feed... it really does seem like the msm has moved on, this should be a major story at least imho.
I am going to do some research and possibly do something on this on one of my sites to spread the word. If so I will link your research.
Wonderful! I thank you for showing interest in this. Matthew Caruana Galizia's (an award winning investigative journalist with the ICIJ) Twitter is definitely a great place to start.
I may do a follow up on the investigative journo who was recently murdered in Slovakia in the coming days too.
Whether it is facebook, google, and twitter trying to silence us, or governments trying to kill us, alternative journalism is under attack, now more than ever. That is why it is so important to shed light on situations like this. The powers that shouldnt be need to know that transgressions like this will make headlines.
The Uber wealthy prefer to be outside of the news on things like the Panama Papers. No offense, you know. It's just bad business...
RIP Daphne.
Very interesting post and sad to hear that still people don't know the killer of Danphe...This is injustice to her. It is surely was a great conspiracy to made by tge the group of people to assassinate her..Who ever are behind it are powerful people this is why still the murdered are not captured...Good to hear that case file is reopened and hopeful that She will get justice! @v4vapid
Thanks for posting this @v4vapid. I was not aware of this situation and I am glad you brought it to my attention.
Just this morning I wrote that we need to stop talking about cryptocurrency and blockchain and focus upon the aspect of decentralization.
As I was reading this, I was thinking about someone like her posting her content on the here, even under a non identifying name, to get the word out. The problem with centralization is that power corrupts. Often they have control of the media and are willing to go to any length to preserve it.
The system of control around the world is based upon centralization of power. We need to do all we can to break this. Every person in the world needs to know they can come on a site like this and let their voice be heard. Plus, it is a great way to bring awareness while drumming up support.
Another point is that mafia style executions or ties to organized crime doesnt matter. Almost all governmental entities are tied to criminal behavior. Some are in bed with the mafia, others with corporations...ironic the actions of one can be legal for the other.
Sorry to go a bit off track but this speaks to the center of what I have thought about lately...the great need for global decentralization...in as many areas of life as we can achieve it.
I really do agree with you @taskmaster4450. Centralization is like a plaque that needs to be removed from this world. It's a good thing that most areas of life are undergoing decentralization by the revolutionary blockchain.
With writing and blogging decentralized as it is on steemit, things like this could be avoided. Power will be decentralized and there will worldwide to a certain extent.
I say to a certain extent because I don't believe the world can undergo complete decentralization. I believe you agree with me @taskmaster4450
I still remember when Daphne died, I had read only one of her articles before her death (No, not even read, watched a documentary about her on TV). After her death, I couldn't help but read almost all of her articles. She was a woman with great passion for justice and equality. So sad the world we live in today fights and negates that.
Imagine destroying a person's memorial. A memorial that cannot hurt no one.
This in its entirety is a pure act of violence against humanity and is not a call for us to remember only Daphne but all other journalists that have been murdered in pursuit of the truth
Daphne lives on and destroying her memorial won't change that.
Joining in the twitter movement right away. Her memorial whether standing or not will be built in our hearts.
OMG, the sheer ruthlessness, heartlessness and wickedness in this world is irredeemable. Taking her life is not enough?
Jesus.
This is justice. Kill them and then sue them while they can't defend themselves!
Any real journalist,who tells the truth,is in danger.Plutocrats like to keep their cattle blindfolded..
How sad, the "Truth of life"
It is not only in Malta and Journalists, it is our current world. The Politicians have two faces and they know how to use them.
Not justice and equality, almost time only appearance and nothing of facts.
I hope to listening about you soon
@V4vapid