Tenor Joseph Calleja has condemned the way Malta was shown in a prime time RTL programme about hunting.

Writing on facebook, he said: "Whilst I deplore and condemn any form of poaching or illegal hunting I equally condemn the way that Malta was portrayed in the German media on the RTL TV station. This is not what Malta and the Maltese are about and one can hardly generalise because some individuals go renegade and behave in an unacceptable manner.

"It is indeed irresponsible to negatively portray a whole nation or to suggest, whether directly or indirectly, that the Maltese are a nation of psychos and bird killers. Illegal hunting in Malta is simply more visible because of our small size our island having no remote countryside. This is of course no excuse and illegal hunting should not happen.

It is indeed irresponsible to negatively portray a whole nation or to suggest, whether directly or indirectly, that the Maltese are a nation of psychos and bird killers.

"Illegal hunting is a horrible universal concern and it happens all over Europe and beyond. However, in the end I do not think that the "numbers" justify singling Malta out and portray it in this manner.

"Perhaps RTL should have focused instead on the HUMAN immigration problem Malta is facing as Europe's most southern tip and help putting into much needed light the grave problems our country is facing. Malta needs help from its larger neighbours to deal with the unfortunate souls who risk life and limb in search of dignity and a decent future on our shores and beyond.

"Incidentally CABS gave me a great idea. Drones could be utilised to search the meditteranean for immigrants in distress. How many women with small children have died because help wasn't sent in time?"