Search results : 92

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recently made public five new reports as part of the third cycle of its monitoring process of the laws, policies and practices to combat racism in the Member States of the Council of Europe (for commentary on earlier reports, see IRIS 2005-7: 3). Four of the country reports (Cyprus, Italy, Luxembourg and the Russian Federation) contain specific recommendations concerning the media. A recurrent, two-fold recommendation entails the ECRI encouraging the State authorities to: - “impress on the media, without encroaching on their editorial...

The Supreme Court (Revisional Jurisdiction) decided in December 2005 that the Cyprus Radio Television Authority (the independent regulator established by law 7(I)/1998) has no power to examine cases of potential breaches of the Journalists Code of Conduct unless the Media Complaints Commission (a self regulatory body established at the initiative of media professionals) requests it. By its verdict, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of a first instance Court on the issue, rejecting the appeal lodged by the Radio Television Authority. The case first came up in 2001, when the Authority sanctioned...

The Supreme Court (judicial review jurisdiction) decided in September 2005 that the ban on (paid) political advertising is in breach of the law because the relevant provision in the regulations on Radio and Television Broadcasting 10/2000 was adopted beyond the scope of the law (ultra vires). The Supreme Court upheld thereby a first instance Court decision, challenged by the Cyprus Radio and Television Authority. The Supreme Court has first instance, appellate and revisional jurisdiction. It exercises revisional jurisdiction on decisions of Assize and District Courts as well as on first instance...

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...

Recent amendments (Act No. 128(I)2002 and Act No. 128(I)/2004) to the Act on the protection of copyright and neighbouring rights No. 59/1976 aimed at keeping pace with new technologies (software, databases, cable and satellite broadcasts) and full harmonisation with European standards, including provisions of the European Convention relating to questions on Copyright Law and Neighbouring Rights in the Framework of Transfrontier Broadcasting by Satellite. The Act on the protection of copyright and neighbouring rights of 1976 is a broad spectrum covering legal document aiming at protecting all kinds...