Invicta: The Life And Work Of Daphne Caruana Galizia edited by Joseph A Debono and Caroline Muscat

Hardback:  Freedom consists of this:  Who has useful advice to give to the state?  The person who provides such advice gains fame while the person who does not wish to do so remains silent.  What can be more just in the state? - Euripides, The Suppliants, verses 437-441.

On 16 October 2017, Daphne Caruana Galizia, the most formidable Maltese journalist of her time, was murdered by a bomb placed under her car. That bomb did not just kill one of the most prominent characters in the history of Malta since Independence, it also tore a hole right through Maltese society and politics. For over thirty years, Daphne took a pen to Maltese society and politics and, wielding it like a razor, shaved as close to the flesh as she possibly could. Her cause was democracy in its fullest sense, Daphne insisted that democracy was not just majority rule, it also comprised minority rights, checks and balances, rule of law, autonomy of the institutions, accountability and good governance. Above all, she upheld freedom of expression as the fundamental instrument through which to scrutinise authorities and hold them to account. For her pains, she was demonised and came under sustained fire for all those thirty years, but not once did she wilt or flinch.

“Invicta” means “the unconquered woman” and there is no more fitting epithet for Daphne than this. For she died with pen in her hand and unyielding to the very end. To pay tribute and to commemorate Daphne’s significant contribution to democracy and to journalism, this book brings together an array of Maltese and international academics, journalists and friends. It is time to reflect deeply on Daphne and her legacy.

Invicta (2017) does just that.

All profits for this book will go to Dar Merħba Bik, as chosen by Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family.

Editors' Note:  This book brings together a group of academics, journalists and friends to reflect on the life and work of Daphne Caruana Galizia, and the circumstances of her death.  Contributions have been written in the style of a newspaper or magazine column and many contain opinion and speculation.  As far as these opinions, speculations and even analyses are concerned, the reader should be aware that these are the views of their authors alone and may not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team.