Members of the European Parliament observed a minute's silence in honour of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia today at noon.

The parliament will discuss media freedom and protection for journalists following the brutal murder in a debate to be held later this afternoon.

Ms Caruana Galizia was killed on October 16 in a powerful car bomb blast that left her vehicle in several pieces in Bidnija.

In a message following the minute's silence, parliament president Antonio Tajani expressed his outrage at the murder.

“She was a brave woman, and a fine journalist. She epitomised everything that is good about that profession: she sought out the truth, the facts, and refused to let anyone stand in her way," he said.

"She was not afraid to do whatever it took to fulfil what she saw as her duty.”

President Tajani said Ms Caruana Galizia continued to shine a light in dark places, speak the truth and answer only to her readers, the only people to whom she felt accountable.

She published more than 20,000 articles denouncing abuses of power, corruption and the failings of governments.

He said that the European Union was more than just a market or a single currency.

“It is the manifestation of our values, of our identity, at the heart of which stand the freedom and dignity of the individual.

“If we are to defend that freedom and that dignity, inside and outside the Union, we must safeguard the independence of the press.”

Daphne’s murder, he said, must not go unpunished, he said adding he expected the Maltese authorities to spare no effort to get to the bottom of what happened.

“Every lead must be followed up. In my view Europol must also be involved, as part of an international investigation in which all police forces work together to bring those responsible to justice.”

Mr Tajani said that the example Daphne set must never be forgotten and together with the vice-Presidents, he decided that the press conference room in Strasbourg should bear Ms Caruana Galizia’s name.

MEPs will debate media freedom in Malta later in the afternoon, with speakers from the EP's various political groupings making statements. The debate will be streamed live by Times of Malta.

MEPs sit silently in memory of Ms Caruana Galizia. Photo: Reuters/Christian Hartmann MEPs sit silently in memory of Ms Caruana Galizia. Photo: Reuters/Christian Hartmann