By Bouli Hadjioannou
THE long-awaited broadcasting bill was given the green light yesterday, but deputies said they would be coming back with proposals on contentious provisions after the elections.
The new law, which has been before the House for more than two years, aims to bring order to the airwaves in the wake of a mass influx of private radio and television channels.
A parallel bill introduces similar conditions on the state-owned Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC).
Though the House Interior Committee managed to hammer together consensus on most of the bill, which is stridently opposed by private channels, basic differences remain on two key issues – ownership rules and controls on advertisements.
Deputies from Disy and the United Democrats made clear their objections on this score during yesterday’s debate. Disy deputies particularly spoke of the need to guard against “interventionist” provisions in the bill, which could lead to the “economic strangulation of private initiative.”
But, in line with a gentleman’s agreement, they held back on the submission of amendments. The House will consider such proposals during an in-depth debate to be held once the broadcasting authority is appointed after the elections.
Deputies from all parties took the floor to hail the bill as a landmark piece of legislation which came not a moment too soon. But with the praise came words of warning about the need for both private and public broadcasting to fulfil their role, particularly in such spheres as the protection of minors, language and fair reporting. There were also complaints about CyBC’s coverage of the work of the House. And Edek deputy Takis Hadjidemetriou and others also noted that aspects of the bill may already have been overtaken by technological developments.
United Democrats’ president George Vassiliou, while welcoming the bill, expressed regret that the plenary did not have adequate time to discuss the issue. He said his party would vote against a few provisions now and introduce amendments later.
Akel general secretary Demetris Christofias said the House would make an absolute fool of itself if it did not vote a bill pending before it for more than two years. “Freedom of the media does not mean anarchy. Society must live up to its responsibilities.”
The final 59-page version of the bill provides for the establishment of a broadcasting authority and a consultative committee on broadcasting. Key provisions include:
– the broadcasting authority will be run by a seven-member board appointed for six years by the Council of Ministers. They cannot belong to political parties or have any ties with radio and TV channels.
– there are very stringent ownership conditions. No shareholder can own more than 25 per cent of a company, and relatives of the same family cannot own more than 25 per cent of the total capital. There are restrictions on foreign ownership. Companies or individuals with shares in the printed press, a publishing house or other all-island radio or TV stations will not be given a licence.
– the annual licence is set at £30,000 for a national TV station, £7,000 for a local TV station, £3,000 for a national radio station and £500 for a small radio station.
– there are provisions on programme content so that current affairs programmes must account for at least 7 per cent of broadcasting time and cultural programmes for over 5 per cent. There must be at least 5 per cent of Cypriot productions, and 2 per cent of Cypriot cultural productions.
– there are provisions to protect minors and language.
– advertising regulations are comprehensive. Ads cannot exceed 15 per cent of broadcasting time. There are restrictions on how programmes, particularly sport events, can be interrupted by ads. News bulletins can have only one advertising break. Current affairs and news broadcasts cannot be commercially sponsored.
