Gozo Bishop Mario Grech urged journalists to value their work and continue to be the voice of unity in the face of a culture of violence and hate.

It was the bishop’s first public comments on Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder last month. He was speaking during the homily of a Mass for Gozitan journalists, in Victoria, yesterday.

Mgr Grech said that, in the face of such a violent act, journalists should not question their role and the importance of their work.

“Your services to society are needed because not only do you help make the truth known to the public but such communication has the power to build bridges between people, families and social groups,” the bishop said.

Quoting Archbishop Charles Scicluna, he said that people should be taking care of each other and, likewise, journalists too were in duty bound to look after their colleagues.

Mgr Scicluna has repeatedly called on journalists not to be afraid following the murder of Ms Caruana Galizia, calling for a culture of truth, honesty and solidarity.