Press freedom in Malta remains under scrutiny

Malta has seen a minor improvement in its position on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), moving up six places to rank 67th out of 180 countries assessed. However, despite this marginal gain, the Mediterranean island remains one of the European Union’s lowest-ranking member states when it comes to freedom of the press, highlighting the enduring structural issues that continue to hinder progress in the sector.

Within the European Union, Malta’s performance is still cause for concern. It occupies the 23rd spot among the 27 member states, underscoring that any progress has been far from transformative. Although the country’s total score improved slightly, rising from 61 to 63 out of 100, the overall picture remains troubling. RSF notes that Malta’s present ranking is still significantly lower than it was before the 2017 assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia—an event that profoundly reshaped the country’s media environment and exposed deep-rooted risks to press independence and the safety of reporters.

Comparative gains reflect regional deterioration

The apparent progress Malta has made is, in large part, not the result of internal reforms or significant enhancements in media protections, but rather the outcome of declining conditions elsewhere. In particular, countries like Bulgaria and Cyprus have witnessed steep drops in their respective rankings, slipping by 11 and 12 places. As a result, Malta’s upward movement in the index is somewhat relative and does not necessarily reflect significant internal strides toward better press freedom.

According to Pavol Szalai, who heads RSF’s European Union and Balkans Desk, “The 2017 killing—whose alleged mastermind has been released on bail earlier this year—continues to cast a dark shadow on press freedom and journalists' safety in the country.” His remarks point to the long-term effects that Caruana Galizia’s murder has had on the Maltese media landscape, which continues to grapple with the institutional failures exposed in its aftermath.

The journalist, who had been investigating corruption and organized crime at the highest levels of Maltese politics and business, was killed by a car bomb in October 2017. Her assassination stunned the international community and provoked widespread outrage. Since then, the extent of the country’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting journalists has been under intense scrutiny, both domestically and abroad.

Ongoing trials serve as a barometer for justice

Szalai also emphasized the importance of the legal proceedings involving those accused of supplying the bomb used to assassinate Caruana Galizia. “The ongoing trial of the men accused of supplying the bomb used in Caruana Galizia’s murder is a ‘landmark case for press freedom in the EU',” he said, while stressing that “justice will not be fully served until the mastermind is convicted.”

This trial is not just about assigning individual accountability—it is being viewed as a litmus test for Malta's willingness and ability to uphold press freedom and deliver justice in cases where journalists are targeted for their work. The slow pace of proceedings and the recent decision to grant bail to the alleged mastermind have drawn widespread criticism from press freedom advocates who argue that such decisions undermine public confidence in the justice system and cast doubt on the government's professed commitment to ensuring accountability.

Slight optimism grounded in EU-level developments

According to RSF, the minor increase in Malta’s score for 2024 may partly reflect cautious optimism stemming from recent policy initiatives and European legislative developments. These include Malta’s public declaration that it would introduce legal measures to combat Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which are often used to intimidate journalists through costly legal processes. Additionally, the European Union’s formal adoption of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) has been interpreted as a signal of continental support for stronger press protections.

Moreover, prosecutions linked to corruption scandals originally uncovered by journalists have continued in Malta, contributing to a sense—however tentative—that accountability might still be possible in the face of considerable political and institutional inertia.

Despite these advances, RSF remained cautious, urging restraint in interpreting the progress. The organization pointed out that the EMFA, while adopted, has yet to be implemented, and the anti-SLAPP provisions announced by the Maltese government offer only minimal protection. “The EMFA is yet to be implemented and the anti-SLAPP legal notice is an absolutely insufficient protection,” the organization warned, suggesting that rhetoric and policy announcements have not yet translated into tangible improvements on the ground.

Legal constraints threaten transparency

In addition to structural deficiencies, recent decisions by Maltese courts have raised fresh concerns about the direction of media freedom in the country. One case in particular has drawn sharp criticism: a court-imposed ban that prevents media outlets from reporting on proceedings involving the alleged mastermind behind Caruana Galizia’s killing.

RSF has condemned the ruling, calling it “a disproportionate restriction on press freedom.” Such measures, critics argue, obstruct transparency and undermine the principle of open justice—a cornerstone of democratic societies. The implications of this ban extend far beyond the courtroom, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for future cases where powerful individuals are implicated.

For many journalists, the ban signals a retreat from openness and accountability at a time when trust in institutions is already strained. Media professionals argue that restricting coverage of such a high-profile trial deprives the public of its right to be informed about a case with deep political and societal ramifications.

Incomplete reforms and ignored recommendations

One of the most enduring criticisms directed at the Maltese government is its continued failure to act on the key recommendations issued by the public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The inquiry, which concluded in 2021, found that the state had created a culture of impunity that allowed the assassination to take place. It issued a detailed set of proposals aimed at reforming institutions, improving transparency, and safeguarding journalists.

Yet, nearly four years after those recommendations were handed down, most have not been adopted. The government’s slow pace in responding to the inquiry’s findings has drawn rebuke not only from RSF but also from local and international human rights organizations. This delay is widely perceived as a sign of reluctance to confront the deeper systemic problems that enabled the attack on Caruana Galizia in the first place.

Broader European context underscores Malta’s isolation

While Malta’s position in the global rankings has seen a modest lift, it continues to stand out for all the wrong reasons within the European Union. Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Ireland consistently dominate the upper echelons of the RSF Index, with robust legal frameworks and a deeply embedded culture of press freedom. In contrast, Malta’s position within the lower tier of EU member states suggests a troubling divergence from European norms and values.

For EU institutions, the situation in Malta is a source of concern, especially as the bloc moves toward a more unified approach to media policy through initiatives like the EMFA. Observers note that unless Malta aligns its domestic policies with EU standards, it risks further reputational damage and potential political isolation within the Union.

Civil society continues to demand accountability

Despite these setbacks, Maltese civil society remains a vital force in the ongoing struggle for press freedom. Organizations such as the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Repubblika, and the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) have continued to push for reform and justice. These groups organize public vigils, initiate legal challenges, and advocate for policy changes aimed at creating a safer and more transparent environment for journalists.

Their work has kept press freedom on the public agenda and helped maintain pressure on authorities to act. However, activists often lament the lack of meaningful engagement from the political establishment, which they argue is more focused on damage control than genuine reform.

Conclusion

Malta’s small climb in RSF’s 2024 index offers a sliver of hope but should not be mistaken for a significant breakthrough. The country’s press freedom environment remains heavily burdened by unresolved issues, ranging from the slow delivery of justice in Caruana Galizia’s case to the absence of robust legal protections for journalists. Promised reforms remain either incomplete or entirely unimplemented, and recent court rulings have only added to the sense of unease surrounding the state of media freedom.

The case of Daphne Caruana Galizia continues to loom large over the nation, serving as a constant reminder of the stakes involved when journalists are silenced. Until Malta demonstrates a clear and sustained commitment to reform—through concrete legislative action, full implementation of inquiry recommendations, and a transparent judicial process—its position in global press freedom rankings will remain an inadequate reflection of the profound challenges facing its media landscape.

FAQs

Why did Malta climb in the 2024 Press Freedom Index?
Malta rose six spots due to worsening press conditions in other countries, not necessarily because of significant domestic reforms.

What is Malta's current rank in the RSF World Press Freedom Index?
Malta is ranked 67th out of 180 countries, placing it 23rd out of 27 within the EU.

Who was Daphne Caruana Galizia?
She was a Maltese investigative journalist who was assassinated in 2017 while reporting on corruption and organized crime.

Has justice been served in the Caruana Galizia case?
Not yet. While some suspects are on trial, the alleged mastermind was released on bail, and the process remains incomplete.

What is the European Media Freedom Act?
The EMFA is an EU-wide regulation aimed at protecting journalists from political and corporate interference.

What are SLAPPs and how do they affect journalists in Malta?
SLAPPs are lawsuits meant to silence journalists through legal harassment. Malta has yet to fully protect reporters from these tactics.

Why did RSF criticize a Maltese court ruling?
RSF condemned a court-imposed media ban on a high-profile trial as a threat to press freedom and public transparency.

Have Malta's anti-SLAPP measures been effective?
No, RSF considers them insufficient and warns they provide limited protection for investigative journalists.

What were the main findings of the public inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s murder?
The inquiry concluded that the state created a culture of impunity that facilitated her assassination.

What are the key barriers to press freedom reform in Malta?
Lack of political will, judicial delays, and failure to implement inquiry recommendations continue to obstruct real progress.