I write in reference to the the report Squibs Greet Sant's Arrival In Għargħur (February 26). As president of the MLP's 9th district I was deeply hurt by the report.

The reporter spent two thirds of this small write-up reporting the fact that Għargħur residents greeted Alfred Sant with squibs (suffarelli) and a hand-held siren. She also reported that there were only "a few tens of people." Coming from a newspaper that claims to be independent, this report leaves much to be desired.

First of all, the Coach of Change went to three different localities with Dr Sant giving a small speech in each and finally stopping in Mosta for the end of this activity. This was only reported in one sentence.

The four speeches were in just in eight lines in one column. Surely the Leader of the Opposition, a couple of weeks before the general election, deserved much more!

Now back to the Għargħur celebrations. I cannot understand all the fuss made about the fact that Dr Sant was greeted in such an enthusiastic manner. Neither can I understand why the reporter said that there were only "a few tens of people".

Was the reporter present at this manifestation? If yes, why didn't The Times carry a photo of these few tens of people?

Why was it that although the title was all about Għargħur, the only photo attached to this report was one from the activity in Balzan? And if the reporter wasn't present, where did she get the information from?

I strongly believe that this report's sole intention was not to report the activity itself but to demonise the spontaneous enthusiasm shown by the Għargħur residents in favour of the much needed change in government.

It is hoped that this way of reporting a political activity, especially during an election campaign, is but a lone incident, especially coming from an "independent" newspaper.

Editor's note: A reporter of The Times was present at Għargħur.