Our foundation has dedicated this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8 to Daphne Caruana Galizia, a female journalist who symbolizes press freedom, courageous investigative journalism, and the defense of truth—not only in Malta but worldwide.
In this regard, our foundation has made a donation to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, which was established in honor of Daphne Caruana Galizia—a dedicated journalist who lost her life in an assassination following increasingly violent attacks throughout her 30-year career.
The foundation advocates for the imposition of specific financial or other sanctions on political and commercial harassers targeting investigative journalists, including those who misuse defamation laws for this purpose. It also works towards imposing sanctions on entities that own or control media outlets and use them to attack independent journalists.
Daphne Caruana Galizia was Malta’s first female columnist, publishing under her own name at a time when newspaper columns were rare and articles were either unsigned or published under pseudonyms. She remains a symbol of fearless journalism, press freedom, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
The press is an essential pillar of democratic societies and the most effective means of ensuring freedom of information and expression. Unfortunately, there are forces that exploit journalism not to illuminate the truth but as a tool for manipulation, disinformation, and defamation. These biased and subjective approaches undermine transparency, accountability, and the principle of accuracy, posing a serious threat to journalism and the public’s right to access reliable information.
In the face of such pressures, women journalists, in particular, face greater risks due to their courage and dedication to truth. Today, independent journalists in many countries are subjected to legal harassment, imprisonment, and even assassination simply for speaking the truth. On this March 8, we honor all women journalists and women around the world who risk their lives in pursuit of truth and stand by the legacy of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who lost her life in the name of journalism.
In recognition of our donation, the foundation has presented us with a certificate of appreciation.
The Press Is An Indispensable Pillar Of Our Democratic Life And The Most Effective Instrument Of Freedom Of Information And Expression.
Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board Member of our Foundation, stated:
“The critical role of the press, journalism, access to information, and the dissemination of knowledge in ensuring and securing a sustainable future—one that respects individual rights, diversity of voices, and gender equality—cannot be overstated. In our country and across the world, the press continues to fulfill its duty by providing the public with essential news, research, information, and enlightenment, contributing to the advancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Journalists bear a great responsibility, working tirelessly, day and night, without regard for working hours, to keep the public informed. We commend all media professionals who carry out this demanding work with dedication and uphold ethical values.
As a foundation, we have made a donation to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, established in honor of Daphne Caruana Galizia, who lost her life in the pursuit of truthful and objective journalism.”
The Biography of Daphne Caruana Galizia
1964 – 2017
Daphne Caruana Galizia was born on August 26, 1964, in the coastal town of Sliema, Malta.
In 1988, she began writing a column for Malta’s Sunday Times. Her column was unconventional for its time, blending commentary, opinions, news, and analysis with a touch of satire and humor, shedding light on the darkest corners and bringing much-needed wit to Malta’s media landscape.
She later helped establish The Malta Independent, serving both as deputy editor and columnist. A guiding principle in archaeology, “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence,” was also a motto she applied to her journalism. Even if no evidence trail seemed apparent, she would never ignore a story.
In 2004, in addition to her bi-weekly column, Daphne began publishing magazines reflecting her diverse interests, ranging from food, design, interiors, art, and culture to business and individuals making an impact. Her most popular magazine, Taste&Flair, remains part of her legacy and is still published by The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. In March 2008, just before Malta’s general elections, she spontaneously started her blog and immediately published her first post, “Zero Tolerance for Corruption.” The blog became the platform where she shared most of her major stories, attracting an audience of approximately 400,000 daily readers, sometimes reaching up to one million. She published her last post on October 16, 2017, at 14:35.