One year after the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the safety of journalists remains at risk - Hoofdinhoud

Today exactly one year ago Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed brutally with a car bomb. She was murdered because as an investigative journalist she was uncovering wrongdoings of very powerful people. Four months later, Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina were killed for the same reasons. Two weeks ago Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova was raped and killed, although there is no apparent connection with her work.

Suspects have been arrested in all three cases. But the masterminds behind the murders of Daphne and Jan are still out there, having a good life, enjoying their freedom, as a living symbol of impunity.

In many EU member states the climate for journalists is becoming more and more hostile. Political leaders do not hold back in their verbal and legal attacks on journalists. This should worry us. Journalism breathes life into democracy. It is part and parcel of the vital checks and balances of the democratic rule of law. Each time a politician lashes out at a journalist, democracy is hurt. With each murdered journalist, democracy dies a little.

We will not accept impunity. It is our duty to make Europe the safest place in the world for journalists.

Today my thoughts are with Daphne's, Jan's and Viktoria's family and loved ones. They suffer the pain of losing the person who was so dear to them. We wish them strength.