Three independent media houses have decided to take a joint stand to support the cause for an end to spring hunting by ensuring a referendum will be held in spring.

Times of Malta, Malta Today and The Malta Independent have come together for the first time and joined forces to support the coalition for an end to spring hunting and encourage the electorate to vote in the referendum.

They took a joint stand due to the government’s unclear stance.

The Coalition Against Spring Hunting has collected enough signatures under the law to call a referendum on the matter.

While Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said last May he would not try to change the law to derail the spring hunting referendum, the government has proposed postponing local council elections.

The aim of the coalition was to have the referendum held in conjunction with the council elections, to ensure a strong voter turnout.

The media houses are seeking to ensure the government is committed to holding a referendum and respecting the democratic rights granted to citizens.

The Prime Minister made it clear he was in favour of retaining a spring hunting season. The EU’s Birds Directive bans hunting in spring but the government has continued to apply a derogation, under terms contested by environmentalists.