Standard Publications Ltd, Media.link, Union Print and Mediatoday issued a joint press release to condemn the acts of violence and threats during the “peaceful” protest organised by the Federation of Conservationist Hunters and Trappers in Valletta on Wednesday night.

TMID photographer Ben Borg Cardona and The Times photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi came off worst in the exchange with the former being robbed of equipment and the latter being knocked unconscious by a blow to the face.

Other journalists, including Illum’s Julia Farrugia and l-orizzont’s Brandon Pisani were subjected to assault and threats. Some of the journalists present were also spat on by the mob which assaulted them.

This is not the first time that journalists have been attacked while carrying out their duties and such attacks are a serious threat to democracy. The organisations appreciate the messages of solidarity, sympathy and condemnation of the attacks but urge the police to investigate the matter thoroughly.