Journalists' institute criticises federation's response

The Institute of Maltese Journalists has accused an official from the hunters' federation of incitement during the incidents which took place at a pro-hunting protest, in Valletta, on Wednesday.

The police should take action against those individuals who physically and verbally attacked the journalists covering the assignment, the IGM said in a strongly worded statement.

The journalists' institute said it was shameful that the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi u Nassaba Konservazzjonisti subsequently tried to downplay the incidents.

In a statement, the FKNK had said that the incidents could have been prompted because of the "provocation" of some individuals.

By saying so, the federation was casting doubt over the integrity of the police and the journalists who were merely doing their duty, the IGM said.

It was also untrue that no incidents took place during the actual protest, as the FKNK had claimed. Suffice it to say that from the start of the protest, a hunter tried to drive his car into a restricted area, the IGM said.

It urged the police to take action against a photographer who was taking pictures on behalf of the FKNK, who purportedly told a photographer from The Malta Independent "serves you right" after his camera equipment was damaged and stolen.

Illum journalist Julia Farrugia protested against his behaviour but instead of censuring him, another federation official started calling her names on the megaphone, in the presence of hunters.

"Such behaviour could have prompted more trouble and violence against the journalists," the IGM said.

In the meantime, another six environment NGOs have joined the chorus of condemnation.

BICREF, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of The Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation and the Ramblers' Association said that violence of any sort is unacceptable, but when it is directed at two pillars of a democracy, such as the media and the forces of law, it is even more condemnable.

While insisting that such incidents are treated with urgency and severity by the authorities, the NGO groups expressed their full support for the harsher penalties that have just been introduced for hunting infringements.

"These are a very important step for nature protection. It calls upon the government to ensure that all hunting regulations are strictly enforced, and that all the necessary assistance is given to the police in the execution of its duties.

"A message is now overdue to all law abiding citizens that the state takes the laws it passes seriously. The rest will be put on notice that defying the rule of law will not be accepted," the NGOs said.

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association condemning the incidents said; "Such incidents cause irreparable harm to the country's international image at a time when all the tourism stakeholders are working hard to reverse the negative trends the industry suffered last year."