I refer to the request put forward to the Commissioner of Data Protection by the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) to investigate the possible unauthorised filming and taking of photographs by BirdLife Malta (BLM) and German-based Committee Against Birds’ Slaughter (CABS) personnel that took place on 20 September at FKNK’s Hunting Reserve of Miżieb.

It all sounded like the plea of a bully that has at long last found his match and now runs to mummy with tears in his eyes telling her that somebody kicked him after he has been kicking innocent creatures left, right and centre for a long time.

Before indulging further in this request, law-abiding citizens including hunters have to ask themselves whether BLM and CABS were using disproportionate tools. Whereas hunters use their guns to shoot at birds, BLM and CABS also have their tools and filming is certainly one of their most effective instruments.

Prohibiting BLM and CABS from filming hunters and bird trappers is like prohibiting a hunter from carrying a gun or a trapper from using a net while hunting and trapping. It is a coincidence that in both cases we speak of ‘shooting’. While hunters shoot birds, nature protection groups indulge in shooting sessions of films and photos which present the only credible evidence against poachers in our times.

A person using an ACTV camera to guard his premises is not infringing on the rights of other citizens even though he is monitoring part of the street. People passing by could go ahead unhindered by such a monitoring device. But those entering the house or staying in front of the door must reckon with evidence that what they are doing is being recorded. It is now up to them to behave in such a way as to abide by the laws in front of these cameras.

But then we have the serious promise of FKNK that it only harbours law-abiding hunters. Therefore it has nothing to worry about.

Agnes Debono

Kercem