Dear Daphne

I was going to refer to Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder as a tragedy for her family and a catastrophe for journalism, for freedom of speech and for Malta. But her son, Matthew, today stated,

This was no ordinary murder and it was not tragic. Tragic is someone being run over by a bus. When there is blood and fire all around you, that’s war. We are a people at war against the state and organised crime, which have become indistinguishable.

and he is right. This is terrorism. This is war. It's bad enough that in this 'developed' 'first world' country, a member of the EU no less, corruption is not only rife, it's accepted; rewarded even. We always knew that whoever stood up against it would not get far, but I never thought that they would end up dead.I wasn't an avid follower of DCG but I read her blog now and again. I especially followed the case of Erin Stewart Tanti, the teacher who murdered his student girlfriend back in 2014, as well as her information on corruption within the government. I didn't always agree with her tactics or her tone, but I celebrated her right to expose the truth. It's not a sad day, it's an absolutely fucking terrifying day when people are being murdered to cover up these truths, and the law enforcement, tasked with investigating this murder are publicly stating that they are glad she is dead.

“Everyone gets what they deserve, cow dung! Feeling happy :)”

I feel sick. I've felt sick since I heard. I feel afraid. More than ever I feel like I have to be careful what I say, what I write, what I think. I'm used to bearing hoards of abuse and threats if I ever mention any part of Malta that could be improved, but now, can we expect to be bombed in our homes for daring to speak our minds? Malta should be ashamed right now. I hope, at least, that this senseless, cold-blooded crime can at least act as the catalyst for change. Let's make sure it does.