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On behalf of the President of the Republic, it is with great pleasure that I welcome the ceremony of unveiling the bust of the first Cypriot Journalist Theodoulos Konstantinidis.Despite his wish to the contrary and as originally planned, it was not possible for him to be among you due to his visit abroad.
However, I convey to you my greetings, appreciation and recognition of the figure of Theodoulos Konstantinidis as a pillar of Cypriot journalism on the one hand, and of the 60 years of contribution of the Cyprus Union of Journalists to the development of the journalistic profession in our country on the other.
A course whose beginning was set by Theodoulos Konstantinidis.
Ideologist and ardent patriot, at the beginning of 1878, at a critical time for the Turkish enslaved Cyprus, he conceived the idea of publishing the first newspaper in our country.
Leaving his work in Egypt and transferring from there the first privately owned printing house to Cyprus, he took over the circulation of the newspaper "CYPRUS-CYPRUS", as its editor and columnist, after the end of the Turkish occupation and the assumption of the administration of the island by the British.
A newspaper which, like the other publications subsequently published by Theodolos Konstantinidis and despite the difficulties he encountered, was a great success.
I will avoid any additional reference to the action developed by Theodolos Konstantinidis, since the next speakers will do so.
But what I want to focus on is the spirituality that Constantinides' publications brought to the public after the deep darkness of more than three centuries of the period of Ottoman rule in our country, contributing to the preservation of the national feeling of the enslaved Greek Cypriots.
Of enormous importance is also the information and approaches of the publications, which constitute one of the most important sources of data on the economic, political, historical, financial and social situation of that period.
Worth mentioning is also the persistent effort for the publication of the first newspaper which was the beginning of the history of the Cypriot press and journalism in our country.
An effort, which in combination with his other diverse creative and literary production, undoubtedly, make him a pioneer and scapegoat of cultural creation in our country.
It is for these reasons that I would like to praise the Cyprus Union of Journalists for the congratulatory initiative to place his bust in the surrounding area of the Journalists' Centre, as well as the Public Benefit, Scientific and Cultural Foundation Fotos Fotiadis, which, continuing his remarkable social contribution, undertook to cover the costs.
His bust is a minimum tribute and recognition of his struggle and work for the foundation of Cypriot journalism.
It will be a reference point and a mention of the ideals and values with which he proceeded as a journalist, focusing, as he indicated in his first article, on the essential social role that journalism must play for the smooth functioning of the institutions.
It will be a reference point and a mention of the ideals and values with which he proceeded as a journalist, focusing, as he indicated in his first article, on the essential social role that journalism must play for the smooth functioning of the institutions.
This, after all, should be the goal of every journalist as an information officer, in whatever form of journalism he or she engages in, ensuring accurate and objective information for the benefit of civil society.
Particularly at a time when the perfection of technology has brought about the evolution of the mass media, allowing for the rapid dissemination of information, journalists must act impartially and with absolute conscientiousness, by safeguarding democracy and the public interest, defending the truth far from serving any expediency, without depriving journalists of their right to express themselves, exercising control over any power and arbitrariness.
Friends,
It is in this direction, the continuous improvement, the strengthening of the quality and effectiveness of the information provided that the government is also aiming at through the plans we are promoting.
My respect for journalists and the work they do is given and well known.
At the same time, I am well aware of the effort required for journalists to carry out this work properly, but also of the series of problems that the media sector is facing.
I want to assure you that we are making every effort to solve as many of these problems as possible.
And it is with great satisfaction that I note that through the constructive exchange of views so far with media representatives and on the basis of the targeted policy we have adopted, significant progress has been made.
The Government, recognizing the multifaceted work that journalism performs in our country, has in recent years promoted Financial Support Plans for the press, for the benefit of the journalistic profession, while the media have also been included in the special Plans implemented by the Government during the pandemic period for businesses.
In addition, the Council of Ministers decided for the third consecutive year to implement a De Minimis Aid Payment Scheme to support the print media, amounting to 300 thousand euros.
In addition, as you are well aware, the legislation was modernized in order to keep pace with new developments.
At the same time, changes were made in the way the Press and Information Office and the CPSO operate, in order to be able to meet the challenges of the times and the requirements of correct, accurate and timely information and reporting, always respecting the principles of objectivity and ethics.
In addition, conditions were created for closer cooperation with all the bodies that have a relationship and role in the dissemination and management of information from the state to the citizen, such as the CNA, the CGI, the RIK and the Broadcasting Authority.
At the same time, synergies were developed between the aforementioned bodies and the private sector media, through joint programmes and actions.
By way of indication only, the Cyprus Broadcasting Authority and the Evrychou Community Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation for the establishment and operation of a Training Centre for the Broadcasting Media, in the old building of the Morphou Police Directorate, which has been provided free of charge by the Evrychou Community Council. The aim of the centre is to educate primary and secondary school students on broadcasting issues. As part of this programme, those involved will also be trained in dealing with misinformation and Fake news, a phenomenon that destroys journalism, misleads society and manipulates public opinion.
Efforts are also being made, with the active involvement of the offices of the relevant Commissioners to inform citizens and journalists on ethical and legal issues, including the protection of personal data, children, human rights, environmental protection, etc.
