AKEL identifies shortcomings in the transparency regarding media ownership structures
Statements by AKEL Political Bureau member and MP G,Koukoumas
12 October 2026, Dialogos website
Serious questions regarding transparency in the ownership of the Cypriot mass media and the danger of over-concentration were raised in the House of Representatives by the AKEL MP for Famagusta, Giorgos Koukoumas. He called on the government to provide specific answers regarding changes in shareholdings, the disclosure of information and the implementation of European legislation.
In a question tabled on 29 July 2026, the AKEL MP referred to the report monitoring media pluralism in Cyprus, which records 26 significant changes in the share capital or ownership of broadcasters since July 2023, without the relevant information having been made public.
George Koukoumas asked for clarification as to whether the competent authorities confirm these specific findings and, if so, why the changes were not publicised in a way that was easily accessible to the public. At the same time, he referred to the European Commission’s 2026 report on the rule of law, which identifies limited progress in establishing rules on state advertising and the governance of public media.
In his question, the AKEL MP argued that there gaps and shortcomings remain in the transparency of ownership structures, there is no comprehensive, binding framework in place for the fair allocation of state advertising, and issues remain regarding the implementation of European rules on media freedom.
Furthermore, the AKEL MP requested an update on the progress of the bill implementing European Regulation 2024/1083, as well as on any potential provisions that would ensure the disclosure of beneficial owners and changes in shareholding structure. He also asked directly whether the government shares the concerns regarding excessive concentration of ownership due to the existing legal framework.
In his reply on 28 September, the Minister of the Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, announced that the Radio, Television and Digital Services Authority had approved 57 applications for changes to shareholding structures between July 2023 and August 2026. He clarified that not all of these concerned substantial changes, as they also included smaller transfers or family gifts.
The Interior Minister admitted, however, that the obligation to publish shareholding details and changes in daily newspapers had not been adequately complied with, and that the Authority intended to step up its supervision.
The implementing bill has been pending in Parliament since January, whilst the Minister called for its consideration to be expedited. A national database on media ownership and the amounts of state advertising is envisaged. The Ministry also acknowledged that it had expressed reservations about the 2023 amendment, which allows a natural person to hold up to 100 per cent of the shares, and intends to assess its implications.
The government’s response further notes that, according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice, unrestricted access to beneficial ownership data infringes on the right to privacy.
