Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

The reaction, both locally and abroad, to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s atrocious murder shows one and all how bewildered, shocked and devastated the majority of people of goodwill are.

In a democratic country like ours, where the rule of law and freedom of expression are supposed to be the hallmarks of society, we are seeing our institutions crumble and succumb to fear and intimidation.

Daphne, who represented the only untinted and independent voice of the people, was aptly described in The Guardian as “the island’s most celebrated reporter and teller of plain truths” (October 17).

Though not all of us agreed with the way she presented facts, we all referred to her blog knowing that her revelations were the result of thorough investigation and that she was there to please no one, except to bring to light what was hidden and to make public what was kept in private.

Daphne has gone but her spirit shall live on in all those of us who shall go on proclaiming the truth, no matter what. Now, more than ever, we need the media to be vigilant, aggressive and investigative. Once our institutions and those in positions of authority fail to reveal the truth due to hidden agendas and threats, then it is left to the media and courageous journalists like Daphne who have to do their utmost to reveal all that needs to be known.

Let journalists proclaim loudly that “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Let us, common citizens, allow nothing to stop us from revealing what is unbecoming. Let us fight for what is right.

Let us not be silent.