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It is with great pleasure that I participate in today's event organised by RIK to honour personalities who have worked, contributed and identified with the Cyprus Radio and Television Foundation (RIK). The 2nd RIK - TIMES ENEKEN Awards are an indication of the respect and appreciation of the work of the honoured persons, both by RIK, which has now established this institution, and by the State itself, since my presence here tonight, as President of the Republic, is a sign of recognition of their contribution. Professionals, each of them in their own right, who, with their vision, zeal, perseverance and even the risks they took, offered and contributed decisively to the broadcasting standards of our country.
At the same time, my presence here, together with the Ministers of Finance and Interior, in addition to what I mentioned above in relation to the personalities we are honouring tonight, is also an indication of the State's recognition of the important role, the multifaceted work and the multifaceted contribution of the Cyprus Broadcasting Foundation, with its uninterrupted operation for so many years.
An operation that had its origins in a difficult period for our country and was identified with the processes that preceded the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as those that followed.
It is also in this context that RIK is recognized over time as the most powerful institution for the timely and accurate recording, promotion and preservation of the events that marked the historical, social and cultural course of our country, as well as for the coverage of important developments at the international level. Both through the continuous, direct and dynamic coverage of the news, as well as through the infinite wealth of its archive.
Another, at the same time very important, pillar of action and contribution of public broadcasting is that it succeeded in transcending the narrow boundaries of our homeland and as a bridge of communication, to become a worthy ambassador of our culture and our main link with Cypriots everywhere.
Another very important pillar of action and contribution of public broadcasting is that it succeeded in transcending the narrow boundaries of our homeland and as a bridge of communication, to become a worthy ambassador of our culture and our main link with Cypriots everywhere. After all, RIK's satellite programme is the voice, the presence and the constant link between our country and our expatriates.
The above is an indication of the timeless contribution of RIK to the broadcasting events in Cyprus and beyond, as well as indicative of its size and the history it has written since its foundation. A history which it owes first and foremost to its people, which is why the establishment of tonight's event as an institution is a very appropriate initiative.
And undoubtedly, in its long history, RIK has been fortunate to be staffed by talented and dedicated professionals in the field of Mass Media, enlightened workers of the spirit and the arts. Directors and officials who inspired diligence, confidence, dedication and vision. Skilled executives, whom he taught and from whom he learned.
Tonight we are here at this very modest ceremony which, as I said, has very appropriately now become an institution, to pay due tribute to such personalities as:
- The inventive director Kyros Rossides, whose work constitutes a priceless monument of culture and tradition,
- The charismatic radio and television newsreader Fryni Papadopoulou -I remember you, Mrs Papadopoulou, as a small child, whose broadcasts revolutionized and were loved by the entire Cypriot people,
- The radio and television newscaster Andreas Koukkidis -I remember you Mr Koukkidis- beloved and special for his professionalism. Today a distinguished playwright and ardent cantor,
- The television producer Emilia Orphanidou, whose work raised the level and founded what we call research and political debate, along with a series of documentaries that have been a benchmark.
Posthumous tributes will be paid to four other personalities who stamped the history of RIK.
To the worthy executives Dimitris Kyprianou and Christakis Karagiorgis who left their imprint on the history of RIK, to the iconic journalist and editor-in-chief of RIK Dimitris Andreou and the lyricist, author, and pioneer for his time, journalist and show host, the late Leonidas Malenis.
Apart from the personalities honoured tonight, RIK's successful journey is also due to many other unsung protagonists who served behind the cameras and away from the screen and the microphone.
The action and contribution of the honoured personalities undoubtedly honours them, but at the same time honours RIK and our country. Their work remains alive and constitutes a solid foundation for the organization, serves as a point of reference, and is a shining example for the younger generation and the future of public broadcasting in our country.
On all these solid foundations, therefore, the current executives of RIK rely, so that public broadcasting in our country can effectively respond to its important role and mission.
A legally defined mission, which is none other than the provision of objective and reliable information, as well as quality education and entertainment for listeners and viewers.
Because, as I mentioned before, public broadcasting not only records history, but at the same time, through its programmes, shapes history.
Addressing the staff, management and administration of RIK, you know your responsibilities better than anyone else. You have an obligation and duty as public service broadcasters to safeguard first and foremost the integrity, independence, authority and credibility of public service broadcasting. And I am sure that you will work in this direction.
As I am sure you are aware of your long-standing obligation to safeguard, through your daily actions and decisions, the operation of RIK as a strong institution and defender of the democratic constitution, pluralism and multiculturalism.
You have a duty to ensure that public broadcasting continues to change for the better, to evolve, to modernise and to serve the citizens to whom it belongs at the end of the day.
I am aware that significant steps have been and are being taken to improve the organisational structure, to continuously upgrade technology, to enhance the diversity of television and radio programming, to hold high quality events, always of a human-centred nature, aimed at reflection and education, as well as to further the interactive operation of RIK with citizens.
I expect, expect from you, the citizens, the Cypriot people, programs and specific actions that make RIK a dynamic and different choice, programs that, in addition to quality and accurate information, promote culture, arts and letters, giving, at the same time, a voice to citizens, a platform for public dialogue, the free and equal expression of positions and opinions, without favorable management of anyone.
It is the duty of all of us, through additional structural changes, to make public radio and television a flexible and effective organization, which meets the challenges and needs of modern times.
An organization that works for the benefit of employees and citizens.
This is our demand and expectation for RIK, this is the demand of the Cypriot society, and this is the direction in which our joint efforts will continue to move.
Initiatives such as tonight's, the introduction of honorary distinctions, among many others, highlight the role of public broadcasting and the people whose work has placed it at the centre of our country's developments.
I would like once again to congratulate the personalities we are honouring tonight, the pioneers of Cypriot radio and television.
I would also like to congratulate the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors, the Director General and the people of the Cyprus Radio and Television Foundation, who work with full awareness of the responsibility that the history and the role of RIK signifies.
I am absolutely sure that, by demonstrating the same zeal, responsibility and consistency, RIK will continue to maintain its identity, to be a reference point and to achieve more successes.
(PM/NG)
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