Arizona Senator John McCain referred to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia in a Washington Post article warning the free press is under siege across the world.

“The assault on journalism and free speech proceeds apace in places such as Russia, Turkey, China, Egypt, Venezuela and many others,” the Republican senator wrote. “Yet even more troubling is the growing number of attacks on press freedom in traditionally free and open societies, where censorship in the name of national security. Yet even more troubling is the growing number of attacks on press freedom in traditionally free and open societies, where censorship in the name of national security is becoming more common.”

“Britain passed a surveillance law that experts warn chills free speech, and countries from France to Germany are looking to do the same. In Malta, a prominent journalist was was brutally murdered in October after uncovering systemic government corruption. In Poland, an independent news outlet was fined (later rescinded) nearly half a million dollars for broadcasting images of an anti-government protest.”

John McCain, who had unsuccessfully run for president against Barack Obama in 2008, becomes the latest in a long line of international figures who have paid tribute to Caruana Galizia. Last week, actress Meryl Streep praised her as the woman who exposed the Panama Papers in Malta, and a Scottish MP yesterday called on the Scottish Parliament to debate her assassination. 

READ NEXT: WATCH: Valletta Vigil Marks Three Months Since Caruana Galizia’s Assassination

Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]