BA orders radio stations playing SHout song to give hunters equal airtime

The Broadcasting Authority has asked radio stations that opt to play the official song for the SHout campaign against spring hunting, to give the pro-hunting campaign Iva an equal amount of airtime.

The BA has argued that since the song exhorts listeners to vote 'no' to spring hunting in the upcoming referendum of April 11, the pro-spring hunting lobby should be given the same oppotunity to do so.

"Although we allow for freedom of expression, we also have a duty to keep an unbiased view in political and somewhat controversial matters," the BA said.

The song, a cover of 'Shout' by Tears for Fears, includes the new lyrics 'spring hunting we can do without, vote no'. Vocals were performed by Gianni, Nick Morales and Alison Galea of Beangrowers. Multi-percussionist Renzo Spiteri and Benji Cachia of nosnow/noalps provide drums and percussion.

Musicians Gianni Zammit, Nick Morales and radio presenter Frank Zammit launched ‘SHout - vote no’ last Sunday.

The video of the song shows the musicians in the recording studio, cut with clips from the SHout campaign trail so far, showing the vast number of people involved in the campaign to stop spring hunting.

Frank Zammit interviewed the artists on the day of the launch, about their involvement and the process of putting it all together.

“Music is my thing, it's my way of contributing to this cause that I strongly believe in. We had a lot of fun making it, and we hope it gets shared widely and gets people talking,” Gianni Zammit said while quoting lyrics from the song and saying “I’m talking to all of you, vote no!”

Echoing Zammit, fellow musician Nick Morales said he fully supported the campaign against spring hunting in Malta, arguing that together, the referendum to abolish spring hunting can succeed. 
The song is available to download from Soundcloud, and the video can be viewed on the SHout youtube channel.