How very appropriate, an editorial on May 6 that not only replicates the Birdlife Malta message on their pre-election poster of our political leaders depicted with a gun pointed at their heads but also parrots its every word.

The editor’s nonsensical diatribe is directed at the Labour government, which, contrary to its predecessor that applied 11 consecutive incorrect derogations from the Birds Directive, pledged to right such wrong and many others. The same government that has shown it does not intend taking hunters and trappers for a ride with fickle promises as we all know the PN had done. Indeed sore points worth publishing for Birdlife that not only relished every ‘error’ but benefitted from the PN’s broken promises.

Taking trapping as an example, Times of Malta of September 7, 2009, reports: “Under the Accession Treaty, trapping of certain bird species (seven species of finches) was permitted until the end of December 2008. Following the expiry of this period under the Treaty, Malta can, along with all other member states, apply a derogation to permit trapping to continue.” Yet, the editor seems to know better and criticises “so-called” Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes for doing precisely what the European Commission suggested.

“Tourism, Malta’s main economic driver, is being held at gunpoint.” The same day, Times of Malta reports, seemingly not enough for the editor to swallow such words: “MIA records best April ever with the UK, Italian and Spanish markets all registering increases in April...” and a “35 per cent increase in German tourists” a few days earlier (April 30).

If rather than reading Birdlife Malta comics and publishing abridged versions the editor had to leave the comfort of his office, we may one day see some factual reporting about “bullies with shotguns”. However, judging by the fact that his criticism does not even tally with what his paper reports it is highly unlikely for any sense to prevail over his bias, which, as time goes by, becomes even more obvious.

Editor's note: Mr Mifsud Bonnici is entitled to defend his gun lobby. This news organisation is entitled to illustrate how governments have chosen to ignore the legitimate concerns of law-abiding citizens.