"This was a special moment" – PN activist

"This wasn't a debate. It was a mass meeting" – MLP activist

"This was the best event of the electoral campaign so far" – Daphne Caruana Galizia

"Tajtuni Buzz!" – Dr. Josie Muscat

"Students side with Gonzi in rowdy debate" – The Times

"Leaders battle it out on the University stage" – The Malta Indepenendent

"L-istudenti: Le ghal Sant" – In-Nazzjon

"Ostilita' organizzata fl-Universita" – l-Orizzont

Only one thing can be sure. Students are back in the headlines. And this time, it's not because of the petty issue of parking, or the hackneyed stipends argument. This time it is democracy, student political activism, the behaviour and reactions towards the most important people in the country.

As CEO of InSite, I am very proud that we organised this event. Not only because it was the first time the four leaders were made to answer questions so close to each other in a timed American-style format, but because for the first time in recent memory, Sir Temi Zammit Hall was overflowing with students, all keen to see what was going to happen.

Watching the hall fill up from backstage I felt proud, because now people could not talk of apathy or disinterest anymore. Students were queuing from more than an hour before the debate, because they were interested, they wanted to see what the leaders had to say and they wanted to show their support to their preferred candidate. Students are not apathetic, they just need space to discuss what they care about. So many times, we get it wrong. This time, we got it right. Students want to talk about politics.

The questions by Karl Schembri and Josanne Cassar, were great – to the point, factual, nasty and controversial. They made the students sit at the edge of their seats excited to listen to the answers, while keeping an eye on the timers.

Yes manoeuvring there was. Not from InSite's side, though, but from the young blind activists of both big parties. Coaches brought teenagers in droves from Junior College, and the activists cheered, booed and gave standing ovations to the leaders they supported, regardless of what was said. And although not typical of a debate format, what we had was a political debate with a very strong and active audience more typical of a mass meeting.

What was the aim? Originally to have a really smooth-running timed debate with little student interruption. But in a way I am glad that students made this event about themselves. I'm glad so many students stood up to ask questions, and my biggest regret is that the event had to be cut short and only three questions were asked.

Many have complained that this debate turned into a mass meeting. This was not InSite's intention. We opened the doors, let everyone in and introduced the four leaders. The Nationalist stronghold was evident instantly.

Most of those who attended the debate have never voted in a general election before. But this time they will. If the attitude is a reflection of the student population as a whole, PN have a chance of winning yet another election, thanks in the most part to all those first time voters who, like KSU president David Herrera, do not trust Dr. Sant.

All in all this was an entertaining and exhilarating event. Although the crowd was severely one sided (something beyond anyone's control), the actual debate was fair and balanced and this is something which not many media organisations can claim of their own coverage.

Hopefully students will continue to show such involvement during the electoral campaign, and more events of this kind will be organised so that everyone can put democracy in practice and make an informed decision.

Thanks again to the four leaders for attending and being very courteous. Thanks to the journalists and moderator. Thanks to everyone who participated in the organisation of the event. Thanks to all the media for coming and reporting, even if some of your facts were distorted. Most of all, thank you to the students for attending so numerously, for showing that you do care about how your country is run.

Next time, try to be more civil and tolerant to other people's ideas, and when you are given the chance to watch a debate, try to stick to watching it rather than turn it into a mass meeting. But whatever form of next time there is – make sure you are there, because our presence is important.We showed ourselves that if we organise something big enough we can get all the attention we want. Just think of all the other things we can achieve through that attention.

Christian Peregin is a third year B.Communications (Hons.) student and CEO of InSite, the University student media organisation. www.insite.org.mt