The Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) has called on Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea to correct his comments on Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination, describing them as “unacceptable”.Agius Galea sparked controversy after saying that “we cannot assume that Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed because of her work”.MEIA pushed back, pointing towards the independent public inquiry, which concluded that her assassination was “intrinsically, if not exclusively” linked to her investigative work.The association also stressed that Yorgen Fenech’s recent acquittal concerned his individual criminal responsibility and did not overturn the wider findings of the public inquiry.MEIA said it was particularly troubling that the comments came from the minister responsible for Malta’s arts and culture, arguing that freedom of expression is fundamental to both journalism and artistic practice.“Those holding public responsibility for culture must defend that freedom clearly and without qualification,” it said.The association is now calling on Agius Galea to correct his statement and publicly acknowledge the inquiry’s conclusions, while also demanding the full implementation of its recommendations and the continued investigation of every credible line connected to the assassination.It also called for stronger safeguards for journalists, whistleblowers and artists, as well as concrete action to improve integrity, transparency and accountability within Malta’s institutions.“Culture depends on freedom. Freedom depends on the rule of law. And the rule of law belongs to all of us,” MEIA concluded.Agius Galea has since apologised for his comments, saying he was sorry if he had hurt anyone’s feelings.What do you make of MEIA’s response?•