CIVICA Maltese jury has acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of charges alleging involvement in the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Other people have previously been convicted for roles in carrying out the 2017 killing. Caruana Galizia's family and press-freedom organisations criticised the outcome, while the acquittal itself must be respected as the jury's verdict. The case has renewed scrutiny of Malta's institutions and the risks faced by reporters investigating corruption. The wider question is what safeguards can prevent threats to journalists from escalating into violence. LANE