Reporting news is one thing, propaganda is another
AKEL on the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation’s reply
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 4th April 2020, Nicosia
We recognize that the state-owned Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) works with nominal personnel and that this may lead to errors being made. We note, however, that the “errors” we are pointing out are not a phenomenon confined to the coronavirus period, but a recurring phenomenon. And most importantly, these “mistakes” are made to AKEL’s detriment. For that reason, we cannot accept that the negative discrimination practiced against AKEL is due to the fact that RIK is working with nominal personnel.
We have never argued that the President and the government should not be covered and projected. We also understand that in the conditions we are going through, there is a need to project and explain the decisions and measures that are being taken. However, this has nothing whatsoever to do with the positions of the opposition, especially of the main opposition force, not being projected. Nor does the projection of the government’s positions mean that RIK “accidentally” meets the President of the Republic in the streets of Limassol and films a news story. This is just one example of what we mean when RIK is making propaganda in favour of the government. Reporting news is one thing, propaganda is another.
AKEL will continue to demand that RIK should fulfill its mission as a publicly owned organisation that is sustained by taxpayers. It will continue to demand impartiality, objectivity and proper briefing.
