Cyprus

[CY] Public Broadcaster's Programme Content Defined in Regulations

IRIS 2003-10:1/8

Andreas Christodoulou

Cyprus

After a lengthy debate, the House of Representatives approved Regulations issued under Section 22A of CyBC Amendment Law (No. 2) of 2003 (see supra). The new Regulations provide the necessary legal framework for the implementation of certain provisions contained in the European Commission Communication on State aid vis-à-vis the provision of public radio/television services and more specifically the provision by the national public service broadcaster of a "balanced mix" of radio/television services to the general public.

For television the Regulations provide for the following programme mix (measured against the overall daily broadcasting time in the two CyBC television channels) in relation to the provision by the CyBC of public radiotelevision services: At least 40% information programmes, at least 10% cultural programmes, and not more than 50% entertainment programmes.

For radio the Regulations provide for the following programme mix (measured against the overall daily broadcasting time in the three CyBC radio channels) in relation to the provision by the CyBC of public radio/television services: At least 25% information programmes, at least 5% cultural programmes, and not more than 70% entertainment programmes. The Regulations also define the type of programmes included in the three general categories : information, cultural and entertainment.

Information programmes include, inter alia, news bulletins, discussion programmes on political, economic and social issues, documentaries on political, economic and social issues, news programmes for the Turkish Cypriot community, Cypriots living overseas and the national religious minorities.

Cultural programmes include, inter alia, programmes about the arts, traditional national and international cultural activities, such as music, dance, poetry, painting and sculpture, European and international cultural works such as classical music, ballet, theatre etc, Cypriot sketches and theatrical performances, documentaries on cultural themes, cultural magazine programmes on national and international cultural activities.

Finally, entertainment programmes include, inter alia, programmes included in the national list of events of major importance to society, sports programmes, children's programmes, general interest programmes about fashion, cooking, gardening, home decoration and general entertainment programmes such as feature films, television series and quiz shows.