Meet the journalists from the previous session and others who have been attacked for their work. In small groups, you will have the opportunity to get to know the people behind the stories, chat with them for about 20 minutes, and ask your questions.

Matthew Caruana Galizia | The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation

Matthew Caruana Galizia’s mother was assassinated in 2017 due to her journalist investigations into corruption in Malta, the year later, Matthew quit his job at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to fully combat impunity and uncover the truth about Daphne’s death from the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation. The case is still unsolved.

Andrea Backhaus | Zeit

“When you work in a conflict zone as a female reporter, you constantly need to worry about your safety. I learned that the hard way. I’ve been physically attacked and harassed while doing interviews in the streets and intimidated by authorities. In such a hostile environment a woman who asks critical questions almost certainly becomes a target. It never stopped me from doing my job.”

Marc Marginedas | El Periodico

Senior reporter at the International desk of El Periódico, Marginedas became in 2022 this publication’s special correspondent for conflict zones. This period, which lasted until 2014, saw him covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Arab Spring in Tunisia and Libya, and the subsequent conflict in Syria. In 2013, he was kidnapped by the Islamic State and endured captivity for six months. 

Francesca De Benedetti | Domani

Domani has been targeted in multiple ways: attacks from the government, a police raid to seize an article, SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) from politicians and corporations. SLAPPs are tactics employed to silence and harass critics. Instead of seeking justice in court, these suits are used to intimidate and drain the financial resources of critical voices who speak in the public interest.

Georgine Kellermann | WDR Fernsehen (retired)

“I would have never assumed that my gender would become an issue in the discussion of my credibility as a journalist. But after my coming out in 2019 I have been a red flag as a journalist working for public radio and television and as a trans woman. While absolutely most of the people support me, there are some haters who put in question my competence and my mental health. It bothers me that people think this way but it will never stop me from being myself.”