**Journalists’ Union Condemns Alma MP’s Remarks Against Reporter**
The Union of Cyprus Journalists (UCJ) issued a strong condemnation on Monday regarding comments made by Alma MP Michalis Paraskevas about Phileleftheros journalist Frixos Dalitis. The union characterized Paraskevas's remarks as offensive, unsubstantiated, and harmful to the integrity of the journalism profession.
The controversy arose from statements made by Paraskevas during an episode of the Netcast Zone podcast, which was published online on July 13. In the podcast, the MP labeled Dalitis as “guided” and a “propagandist” who serves “political expediency.” The UCJ responded by stating that while public figures, including politicians and journalists, are open to criticism, such criticism must be evidence-based and expressed in a civil manner.
In its statement, the union described Paraskevas's allegations against Dalitis as “groundless, unsubstantiated, sweeping, and deeply offensive.” They expressed concern over the potential damage to the professional reputation of Dalitis, who has over 20 years of experience in journalism. The UCJ emphasized that it is unacceptable to tarnish a journalist's reputation through careless and irresponsible accusations, which they argued could be seen as a form of intimidation.
The UCJ called on Paraskevas to retract his statements immediately and urged the leadership of the Alma movement to clarify whether it condoned such behavior, which they believe violates standards of political decency. The union highlighted that the MP's criticisms extended beyond Dalitis, as he also claimed that there are “guided journalists” in general.
In response to the remarks, the ESK, the union representing journalists, asserted its long-standing history of over seven decades and stated that it would not engage in insults or sweeping accusations, despite the provocation. The ESK emphasized the importance of utilizing established self-regulatory mechanisms for addressing complaints about journalists' work, rather than resorting to public attacks.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions between political figures and the media in Cyprus, raising questions about the boundaries of criticism and the responsibilities of public officials in their discourse. The UCJ's response reflects a commitment to defending journalistic integrity and the rights of reporters to operate without fear of intimidation or unfounded allegations.