Cyprus

[CY] Broadcasting Act Amended

IRIS 2005-1:1/18

Christophoros Christophorou

Council of Europe expert in Media and Elections

In 2004 many parts of the Peri Radiophonikon and Tileptikon Stathmon Nomos 1998/7(i) (Law on Radio and Television Broadcasting) have been amended in order to fully harmonise it with EC directives. Provisions were enacted that give full rights to EU citizens and in this regard all restrictions were removed. Among other issues, amendments relating to licensing and share capital as well as to the obligations of broadcasters were made. Archi Radiotileorasis Kiprou (the Radio and Television Broadcasting Authority) has been given extended powers. Now its rulings apply not only to the broadcasters that it licensed but to every broadcaster in the jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus, as defined by the Directive "Television without Frontiers". Furthermore the Authority has been given more powers of sanction.