I refer to the letters published in The Malta Independent on Sunday of 26 September.

While assuring John Xerri de Caro that beyond respecting every opinion on whatever arguments there may be, including those on water polo reporting, I only wanted to make one point clear in my letter of 19 September to this newspaper.

This was that journalistic ethics demand that fellow journalists should never indulge in criticising one another about their work irrespective of whether they declare a priori their sporting (in this case) allegiance to whichever team or competitor.

Whether or not the The Malta Independent on Sunday columnist on 12 September in his article “A hot summer at the pool” “abused his journalistic capacity, least of all going against any ethics”, as John Xerri de Caro stated, I felt aggrieved by the criticism levelled against me. At most, if there was a breach of ethics this is for the competent people to decide and nobody else.

As for Paula Psaila Soler, few will argue against her intervention not being a non sequitur to what was published in my regard by Stephen Calleja, whom I respect as a journalist.

I can take the stick from anyone regarding my sports reporting, except for the chaff emanating from fellow journalists.

All I will say is that in 33 years of service as a columnist and sports reporter for Allied Newspapers, and in spite of several alleged attempts made by well-known quarters to stop me from carrying on with my duties, my employers have always shown trust in my work.

Alex Vella

PEMBROKE