THE CABINET investigative committee report on the violent scuffles between police and journalists in Moni on 18 July yesterday angered the Union of Cyprus Journalists.
The report, which was covered by a two-member panel described the coverage of the incident in the local media – and especially national broadcaster CyBC – as ‘exaggerated’.
The report also noted the conduct of the arresting officers during the apprehension of the CyBC cameraman.
There were scenes of violence last summer when Rapid Reaction Unit (MMAD) officers clashed with reporters during the truckers’ strike outside the Moni cement factory.
The strike was marked by scenes of violence between police and media personnel covering the event, which led to the arrest of a CyBC cameraman and a fallout between the media and police force.
Ombudswoman Iliana Nicolaou had stated a couple of weeks after the incident that the police force showed a lack of serious and detailed planning which affected the effectiveness of its operation, as well as a negative disposition and slapdash approach towards the public’s right to information on the unfolding events outside the factory.
The Chairman of the Union of Cyprus Journalists Andreas Kannaouros told state radio that he was shocked by the report, adding that he couldn’t believe the bias of the investigation.
“Judging by what they are saying they are almost making it look like the media are to blame for the incident and not those that used violence and violated the human rights of the reporters.
“Nobody can possibly deny what was filmed during that incident and nobody can deny the witness accounts, of which, some were even doubted in the report.”
He added, “Perhaps an investigation should be launched into the investigators. The way in which the investigative committee was selected also raises questions. Even the Ombudswoman condemned the attack, so why are they stating that the incident was exaggerated by the media?”
Also condemning the cabinet investigative committee report was the Green Party, describing it as one sided and ‘in defence of the police’s role in the incident’.
The Greens also pointed out that the report failed to note if the arrest of the CyBC cameraman was just or not.
Government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides yesterday told reporters that it was not unusual that two separate committee reports bearing different views had been made. He said a proper complaint should be filed if it is deemed by anyone that a specific government report is not correct.
“I don’t think that anyone can question the work being done by both of the committees. If there are different conclusions then that is the way it is. It is nothing odd.
“If anybody feels that a decision that has been made by a governmental committee is enough then they have every right to forward their complaint and it will be looked into.
“The investigative committee has made its own conclusion on the matter. The court will take into account the witness accounts and come up with its own conclusion.”
Meanwhile, a second report issued yesterday afternoon by the Cyprus Media Complaints Commission (CMCC), took a different stance on the incident stating that MMAD officers had used violent and unnecessary force especially during the arrest of the CyBC cameraman.
“It has been observed by the committee that protective rights of the media were violated in the incident. Furthermore, the committee also observed a serious violation of human rights in the arrest of the CyBC cameraman, who was forcefully arrested despite his willingness to cooperate with the police, as well the manner in which the cameraman was detained for many hours at the police station.”
The report also questioned the comments of Justice Minister Doros Theodorou, who blasted CyBC’s report on the incident as well as launching a personal attack on the presenter Emilia Kenevezou for the way in which she presented the bulletin.
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