It has become very amusing to see the various new accusations that are constantly being levelled against NGO activists. If we come up with a prompt response, we are accused of “knee-jerk reactions”. If we take our time, it is claimed that we are neglecting our duty.

In last Sunday’s issue of The Independent, Noel Grima commented on the absence of NGO activists at the Bahrija hearing. These hearings are held in the morning in mid-summer, when most people are either at work or abroad, which does not make it easy to find volunteers available to attend. Still, the NGOs sent a team to the Mepa reform seminar (a fact which went unremarked), while opting for a more low-key representation by Mr Alex Vella of the Ramblers Association of Malta at the Bahrija hearing.

Others went beyond Noel Grima’s query, demanding to know why all those who attended the Bahrija protest did not attend the hearing. Can you imagine the general reaction if NGOs had encouraged members to attend?: “Mob descends on Mepa”, “Scerri threatened by presence of enviro thugs”, “Mob rule!”, “Shrill environmental activists take over Bahrija Mepa sitting”.

It’s funny how we can never get it right!