Nicosia: Freedom of the Press is the heart of Democracy, Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, says in a written statement on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated every year on May 3rd.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Letymbiotis emphasized the critical role of journalists who strive daily for unfiltered information and objective reporting, even amidst the challenges of populism and misinformation. He highlighted that the independent and objective freedom of the press is not guaranteed and is currently under scrutiny, posing a test to democracy itself.
Letymbiotis further stressed that independent reporting is fundamental to maintaining freedom, describing it as a duty rather than a privilege. He asserted that a free press contributes to a fairer, more open, and stronger society.
He acknowledged the obstacles journalists encounter and affirmed the government’s support through institutional tools, political will, and a clear commitment to stand by them. “When we protect free press, we protect all of us. The right to know, the right to choose, the right to decide. This is at the heart of our Democracy. We will not stop defending it,” he concluded.