The International Press Association (API-IPA) is shocked by the murder of our Slovak collegue Jan Kuciak and his friend. API-IPA condemns this crime against a journalist. We expect the Slovak authorities to do their utmost to investigate the truth and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
API-IPA is concerned that this is already the second case of assassination of a journalist in the EU, Maltese reporter Daphne C. Galizia having been murdered only some months ago. Other forms of intimidation are also gaining ground especially in some eastern European countries.
Taking into account the crucial role of a free and independent press, we ask the European institutions and other authorities to undertake everything to bring this tendency to an end and strengthen safety for all media professionals. Otherwise freedom and democracy will be in danger.
