The North's coroner has praised the work of investigative reporters and said their work needed to be recognised and appreciated.
John Leckey was speaking at an inquest into the Loyalist Volunteer Force murder of Sunday Worldreporter Martin O'Hagan (51) who was shot dead in Lurgan, Co Armagh in September 2001.
No one has been charged with the murder despite a PSNI claim that they know the killers.
Mr Leckey accepted the PSNI's belief that the journalist died at the hands of a loyalist crime gang operating in mid-Ulster.
Colleagues of the murdered journalist called for efforts to convict his killers to be stepped up, with help from outside police services if necessary.
Mr Leckey said that Mr O'Hagan and others were "bravely seeking to expose criminals and sometimes with dreadful prices paid. Their bravery needs to be recognised".
The coroner referred to loyalist threats to Mr O'Hagan and to newsagents who were warned off stocking copies of the Sunday World.
Mr O'Hagan had moved from his home because of threats and lived for a time in Cork. But he returned to Co Armagh after the IRA and loyalist groups declared ceasefires in 1994.
He had worked on a number of articles which are believed to have angered senior LVF figures in the area including its leader, Billy Wright.
The coroner recorded that the journalist was shot dead as he walked home with his wife, Marie, after they had been out for a drink. He said Mr O'Hagan died after being struck three times in the chest and abdomen by shots fired from a silver or grey car which had pulled up alongside the couple a short distance from their home in the Tandragee Road area of Lurgan.
Members of Mr O'Hagan's family wept as details of the killing were read out in court.
Following the reading of a lengthy and detailed statement about events on the day of the killing, his widow told the court she believed he was murdered because of his journalism.
The detective leading the search for the killers was more specific and linked Mr O'Hagan's reports on loyalist gangs to his death. Chief Insp Charles Patterson added that the murderers were still free and he was confident he knew their identity.
Eight men had been arrested and questioned, he told the court.
"These people are associated with the LVF in the Lurgan area. Unfortunately despite extensive investigations I don't have the evidence to proceed against these persons." He said the case was still ongoing but could not be said to be "live" as it had so far failed to find evidence capable of sustaining a conviction in court.
Sunday World northern editor Jim McDowell said the case should be thoroughly reviewed immediately "with vigour and rigour", with outside assistance if necessary.
"If the case has hit a brick wall, bring in fresh faces, open a fresh file and let's get Martin O'Hagan's killers where they belong - behind bars. I have to believe we will see them in court because if these people get away with this, where do the rest of us stand?" he asked.
The investigation has been referred to the office of the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan.
The inquest was attended by Ronan Brady, cathaoirleach of the National Union of Journalists executive and by representatives of the Irish Government and the Police Ombudsman.
Mr O'Hagan is survived by his wife and four daughters.