Italian journalism association dedicates prize to Daphne Caruana Galizia

● EP President Antonio Tajani reiterates call for independent, international inquiry into assassination

The Journalism Festival of Ronchi dei Legionari and the related journalistic prize commemorating the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Gal- izia, has been accorded the high patronage of the European Parliament.

This is important recognition for the small Ronchese association which, for the past few months, has been actively promoting its journalism event scheduled for next June and the award commemorating the memory and work of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The letter from European Parliament President Antonio Tajani not only confirms the EP’s recognition but also “thanks the association for what you are doing in the reality of Naples”.

“We are really happy because it is further support for our daily efforts both to create an impor- tant festival for our territory and to honour the memory of a strong woman and journalist who must remain an example,” association president Luca Perrino said.

In his letter to the association, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani commented, “I would like first of all to express my appreciation for the fact that the association has decided to dedicate a prize to the memory of Daphne Caruana Galizia to remind us of the fundamental values on which the European Union is based: freedom of expression, democracy, and human rights.

“Freedom of expression and media pluralism are enshrined in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The European Parliament strongly condemned the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, called on the Maltese government to mobilise all the resources necessary to deliver the killers to justice, and called for an independent international inquiry into the matter.

“Awarding a prize to journalists who have distinguished themselves for their inquiries and their research, even risking their lives and that of their family, is an extremely commendable initiative and it is therefore with great pleasure that we accord your event the High Patronage of the European Parliament.”