Award-winning journalist Demetris Andreou died at Nicosia General Hospital on Friday night, two weeks after suffering a stroke on live television. He was 67.
Yesterday the media and political spectrum paid tribute to the broadcast and print journalist, referring to him as the “father of political journalism” in Cyprus in a career than spanned more than 40 years.
Andreou’s face became a familiar one to the public during his 20-year stint at state television CyBC from 1971 to 2001.
When he left there he worked for while at Logos, which is now Mega, and also wrote a weekly newspaper column.
Andreou was hosting a talk show on CNC Plus television on July 20 when he suffered a stroke, and subsequently a heart attack.
Such was his stature that President Demetris Christofias yesterday said he had cleared his social calendar until after the funeral, which will take place today. Christofias, who referred to Andreou as “a friend” will attend the funeral at the Ayios Georgios church in Aglandjia at 5pm.
He said that even as a young man, Andreou had a restless spirit, a deep faith in democratic principles and an abhorrence of all forms of oppression. He was known to be a strong opponent of the military junta that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974.
Christofias said Andreou had left “indelible marks” on the journalistic history of Cyprus.
“We want to express our condolences to the family Demitri and hope his memory will live in our hearts,” said Christofias in a written statement.
Andreou was born in the Nicosia suburb of Aglandjia in 1941 and studied journalism in France.
He remained there for three years working for French television. He actively participated in the students` protest and general strike in 1968.
Andreou returned to Cyprus in 1971 and went to work for the CyBC, the only television channel at the time, and indeed until the end of the eighties. At the same time he continued to write for France’s Le Monde and Agence France Presse.
As political editor at CyBC, Andreou was deeply involved in covering the coup and Turkish invasion in 1974 and continued to be a major force in political journalism until he left state television in 2001.
By then several new stations had opened, and Andreou continued to contribute to political debate on the island through the other channels, most recently with CNC Plus.
During his career, Andreou clocked up six journalism awards for his reporting and documentaries.
The Cyprus Union of Journalists paid tribute to Andreou yesterday, referring to him as a light of journalistic professionalism characterised by knowledge, zeal and dedication to the ethics of his profession.
Colleagues from CyBC, Logos and CNC Plus issued messages of condolences as did the political parties yesterday.
CyBC Director General, Themis Themistocleous, described Andreou as a “great teacher” who was an example for everyone and especially the younger generation of reporters.
The board of CNC Plus said working with Andreou had been an honour.
“Unfortunately the broadcast on 20 July 2008…was the last broadcast of a glorious career in journalism, which was carried out with devotion and passion,” a statement said.
Ruling AKEL said Andreou has covered the most important events marking the modern history of Cyprus, including the Geneva talks after 1974, UN meetings on Cyprus and EU summits
“Besides being a dedicated journalist, Demetris Andreou was a champion of democracy,” AKEL said.
