Press freedom is a delicate issue in the EU. In recent years, both the European Commission and European Parliament issued harsh criticism of Turkey regarding press freedoms. The EU went on a rampage when TV stations and newspapers founded for terrorist propaganda were shut down following the July 15 coup attempt orchestrated by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). Likewise, Turkey was severely criticized when a number of journalists were tried on charges of cooperating with FETÖ. Of course, press freedom is crucial. Yet, abetting and aiding terrorism on the pretext of press freedom cannot be condoned. Those who kill people by hiding behind the word "freedom" and supporting circles that want to form a regime where people that think differently would not be free must be brought to account in courts of law.
Of course, press freedom for journalists is a sensitive issue to which we all must attach importance. However, their lives matter as much as their freedom. The situation is grave if journalists are threatened or killed while researching or working.
In Malta, an EU country, a dissident investigative journalist was murdered in a mafia-like fashion since she was researching corruption by some renowned large companies. Daphne Caruana Galizia was 53 years old. Her offense was unsettling circles that launder illicit money. She was against Malta's turning into a paradise for money laundering. On Monday at 3 pm, she got in her Peugeot 108 for the last time. When her son Matthew rushed to the car after hearing an explosion and tried to put out the fire, he unfortunately realized that his efforts were in vain. No matter how old he is, it must be traumatizing and excruciating for a child to see his mother's shattered body.Turks unfortunately know what this means very well. Victims killed in suicide attacks by the outlawed PKK, which is sadly supported in EU countries, ended up just as Galizia. The relatives of PKK victims can sympathize with Galizia's son in the best way possible.
After Galizia's murder, Brussels and almost all EU capitals issued messages of condemnation. The Maltese prime minister's response was the same, condemning the murder and indicating that the offenders would be brought to justice. Although this is a positive statement, it is insufficient on its own.
Those reacting to PKK murders in Turkey are very passive regarding PKK activities in their own countries. As for Galizia's murder, what matters is not apprehending the person that placed the bomb in her car, but finding out who gave the order. We will see whether Malta and the EU can deal with that.
The situation is very grave. An EU country is accused of being a money laundering paradise and is alleged that the country is a haven for tax fraud for large corporations. We have seen the tragic murder of a journalist who asked if Malta is the mafia's new Sicily.
Fighting corruption is one of the EU's leading values. Since the subject Galizia investigated led to her death, it is curious what steps the EU will take regarding this problem in Malta. Is Malta the sole exception in the EU, which claims to set an example for the entire world? Currently, we are all wondering about the answers to such questions.
The answer to why Galizia was murdered will provide answers to all these questions.
Presently, the EU must first and foremost ensure the lives of journalists before press freedom. In the EU, writing about corruption must not lead to such a tragic end.
