Overview:
The Pacific media community is mourning the loss of veteran journalist Dan McGarry, whose decades-long commitment to press freedom and investigative reporting helped shape a stronger, more transparent region. In a tribute, the Pacific Freedom Forum honors his legacy as a fearless editor, dedicated mentor, and tireless advocate for independent journalism across the Pacific.
HONIARA/PORT VILA, 27 MARCH 2026 (PFF)— The global media freedom community has lost another leader with the passing of Dan McGarry this week. His loss is especially felt amongst Pacific colleagues, with whom he trained, mentored and served.
A Canadian-born journalist who made the Pacific his home, Dan spent more than two decades championing independent media and accountability across the region. From leading the Vanuatu Daily Post to shaping investigative journalism as Pacific Editor at Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, he was widely respected as both a fearless editor and a generous mentor.
As part of the PFF monitoring work in the region, Dan was also the subject of some of our advocacy when it came to alerts on media freedom in Vanuatu.
“We join our wantoks in Vanuatu in solidarity and condolences to his beloved family, and continue to honour Dan’s extraordinary work, his mentorship and his tireless fight for media freedom,” says PFF chair, Robert Iroga of the Solomon Islands.
“We are committed in carrying forward his vision, supporting journalists and strengthening the editorial independence and leadership he helped to foster in this region.”
His fellow OCCRP team included PFF global projects lead Bernadette Carreon, who acknowledged the legacy left by McGarry.
“Dan was someone I had the privilege to work with on and off over the years. He believed deeply in the fight for media freedom, even when it wasn’t easy. We had been looking at ways to work more closely together to strengthen advocacy in the Pacific — something he cared strongly about. He is not someone who will be easily replaced.”
PFF co-chairs Katalina Tohi of Tonga and Leilani Reklai of Palau also join PFF’s condolences to our Vanuatu , Pacific and global media colleagues and friends in remembering Dan McGarry. We will celebrate his impact on Pacific journalism through those he mentored, the investigations he helped lead, and the stronger voice for transparency he built across the Pacific.
He will be deeply missed…. PACNEWS