Nicosia: The protection of the freedom of the press is not just an institutional obligation, it is a political position, a European principle and a democratic duty, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Sunday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, in a written statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Letymbiotis affirmed that "the Government reaffirms its absolute respect for the institutional role of journalists, the independence of the media and the right of citizens to be informed freely, in a pluralistic manner and reliably."
Letymbiotis emphasized that democracy "needs scrutiny, criticism, investigation, disclosure, it needs journalists who can work without fear, without pressure, without threats and without institutional obstacles." He underlined that the Republic of Cyprus, as a European state governed by the rule of law, "protects and contributes to the maintenance and strengthening of the environment in which journalism can carry out its mission."
The spokesperson elaborated that ensuring freedom of the press "means transparency, access to information, respect for criticism, protection of press officers and continuous strengthening of institutional guarantees that serve freedom of expression." He made it clear that the Government views criticism as "an integral part of democratic functioning," adding that "disagreement, when done with evidence and responsibility, strengthens public debate. And a strong public debate means more informed citizens, a more mature Democracy."
However, Letymbiotis also stressed that freedom of the press "is accompanied by a common responsibility: to protect the truth from distortion, information from manipulation, public discourse from toxicity and society from misinformation." He suggested that the solution to these challenges lies in "more light, more transparency, more accountability, more institutional maturity."
In his concluding remarks, Letymbiotis paid tribute to those who serve the information sector with professionalism and responsibility, stating that "freedom of the press is a key foundation of Democracy. And for the Republic of Cyprus, its protection is not just an institutional obligation, it is a political position, a European principle and a democratic duty."