OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir has condemned recent attacks against the offices of the Turkish Cypriot daily “Afrika”, stressing that he will continue to support press freedom and journalistic communities in Cyprus.
“I condemn the violent attack against Afrika. Vandalism and violence against a newspaper is never acceptable. This is an attack on freedom of the media and freedom of expression on the island. Journalists and their important work must be protected,” Désir said, according to a press release issued by the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe).
The press release also noted that in a public speech on January 21st, President of Turkey called on “his Cypriot brothers and sisters” to take “appropriate action” against the newspaper which published an “impertinent headline” on the military action in Afrin, Syria.
“Attempts to intimidate journalists are inadmissible. Journalists must be able to express their views freely. Moreover they should be able to work without fear. Ensuring safety of journalists must be a priority everywhere in the OSCE region,” Désir said.
He also noted that the Cyprus Journalists` Union, Basin-Sen/Press Workers’ Union, and the Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Union all have condemned the attack.
According to the press release, the Office of the OSCE Representative of the Freedom the Media is actively working in Cyprus since the launch of the project “the Cyprus Dialogue”, in March 2017 and started a dialogue with representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot journalists in an effort to assist in improving the development of ethical standards and self-regulation mechanisms in Cyprus.
