CyBC accused of intrusion in election coverage

By Charlie Charalambous

BROADCASTER CyBC has been accused of championing intrusive paparazzi TV in its political coverage of the presidential election campaign.

New Horizons President Nicos Koutsou blasted the corporation during a CyBC radio interview yesterday. He was outraged that one of the station’s TV crews had filmed a clandestine midnight meeting, in which he took part, between Diko and Disy officials and Attorney-general Alecos Markides.

“I consider this the worst type of thing which could be presented by a TV station. It was irresponsible and maybe illegal,” Koutsou said.

The meeting, at the home of a businessman in Nicosia on Tuesday, was part of a concerted effort by Diko and other party elements to persuade Markides to run for president in 1998.

Koutsou claimed the crew had taken the footage in secret, an action he described as “unethical” and a violation of privacy.

“Journalists have a specific task and if we are introducing political paparazzi to Cyprus in order to keep tabs on people and their homes, then we are entering a whole new era,” he said.

Koutsou appeared to be annoyed that those present at the gathering had not been asked to comment afterwards.

“They should have got down and asked questions, not hidden in the dark and filmed,” he said.

CyBC journalist Demetris Andreou said the station had been tipped off by a political source who briefed the crew on the meeting’s agenda.

He said the crew was also accompanied by “a political person”.

Replying to Koutsou’s criticism, CyBC news editor Vangelis Louka said: “This was an important political event, and it had nothing to do with anybody’s personal life.”