Cyprus

[CY] Decisions on a List of Events of Major Importance

IRIS 2001-8:1/11

Andreas Christodoulou

Cyprus

On the 11 July 2001 the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus issued two Decisions regarding the list of "events of major importance to society" as envisaged by Art. 3a of the Directive 89/552/EEC as amended by Directive 97/36/EC.

The Decision No. 53.992 therefore brings into force the obligation for private television stations to broadcast events of major importance on the basis of Art. 27A paragraph 3 "Laws concerning Private Radio and Television Stations 1998 to 2000" from 1 October 2001 while Decision no. 54.001 imposes similar obligations on the public service Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation in accordance with Art. 19B paragraph 3 "Law concerning the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation and associated laws 1959 to 2000". The Decisions also contain the - identical - lists of the events of major importance.

The list includes major world, European and international sports events such as the Olympic Games (summer and winter), small nation-states (of Europe) Games, Pan-European Games, Mediterranean, Commonwealth and Pan-Hellenic Games. Furthermore, in the field of football, basketball and volleyball, the World and European Cups and Championships, the final phase and the games of the national football team of the World and European Football Cup, UEFA Champions League and Cup and the final phases of European Basketball and Volleyball Champions Cup.

Besides, the lists contain political, cultural, social, economic and scientific events of national, European and international interest e.g. the Independence Day Anniversary Celebrations, the Oscar Awards Ceremony, Limassol Wine Festival and major local sports events.

The next step will be the preparation of specific implementation measures for the enforcement of these lists by the Cyprus Radiotelevision Authority. This is expected to take place by the end of the year.