Today’s April Fool joke by The Times which depicted Muscat out hunting was an obviously photoshopped picture.

Yet the fact that so many people immediately started bashing away at their keyboards either to defend him or to lash out at him goes to show that when it comes to divisive issues such as this, politically blinkered vision (as always) gets in the way.  Many did not even stop to think about the plausibility of the story. The comment boards could either make you laugh or cry depending on your mood (and in between looking for that wall to bang your head against).

Some have even suggested that by choosing such a story for its annual 1 April prank, the paper has inadvertently given more fodder to the YES camp, although whether this interpretation is true remains to be seen.  Undoubtedly, however, as we have seen in the past, the media has a very crucial role to play when it comes to referenda.

During this campaign most of the national newspapers have taken an editorial stance over this issue as have many opinion columnists. I think it is very interesting that for the most part, these columnists have all openly declared that they are voting NO.  Hunters might say this is some kind of deliberately orchestrated manipulation of the press, but they would be wrong. The fact is that, while their news organisation has the ethical duty to give equal coverage to both sides of the campaign, many of those who work in journalism just also happen to be the type of people who are very environmentally conscious.

Which brings us to the question: should members of the press stick their necks out and declare their voting intentions on national issues? I believe the answer to that is yes, especially when one is an opinion columnist like myself.  Week in, week out, we express our opinions on a variety of issues so that people will (hopefully) read what we have to say, ponder our viewpoint on things and take it into consideration, even though they will not necessarily always agree with us.

So, as a journalist and opinion columnist here are my reasons for voting NO in the upcoming referendum on spring hunting: 

• I feel that Malta needs to be in line with other EU countries when it comes to spring hunting so that birds flying over our islands can make their way freely and without risk during spring to breed.
• Unfortunately, the bullying attitude of some hunters when they are out hunting in spring makes it virtually impossible for families to enjoy what is left of Malta’s countryside. There have been too many incidents of threats, intimidation and harassment in areas which are public and which should be accessible to all.
• The protection of certain endangered species during springtime is crucial and by abolishing spring hunting, Malta will be sending a message, loud and clear that it is conscious of its responsibility towards the environment; an environment which does not only belong to hunters, but belongs to every one of us who live here or are visiting the islands.

Still undecided? Open your windows right now and just listen to the birds sing.  Isn’t that a much better noise than BANG BANG?