Cyprus’ fake news bill will ‘help the powerful repress dissent’
The International Press Institute on Tuesday joined the chorus of voices against the contentious fake news bill currently being discussed in Cyprus’ parliament, which has been slammed as a threat to press freedom.
The bill includes a clause that means journalists could face up to five years in jail.
Journalism and publisher groups warned the “draconian penalties” will stifle an already struggling industry.
“The ambiguity and contested nature of what constitutes ‘fake news’ exacerbates the potential for arbitrary enforcement, with the risk of those in power ending up repressing legitimate dissent and criticism,” a joint statement with the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) said.
MFRR is a Europe-wide mechanism which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in the EU.
They warned the bill “poses a significant threat to media pluralism and democracy” and the existence of such laws “has often been a tool for political control over information rather than one to enhance its quality.
“Evidence shows that laws against disinformation have repeatedly been exploited by repressive authorities to influence public opinion on what is considered to be true or false, offensive, dangerous or seditious.”
Under the proposed law, the Attorney General will have the power to determine what constitutes defamation, which will be reclassified from a civil offence to a criminal one.
The statement warned the bill risks stifling independent journalism and encouraging self-censorship.
It expressed its opposition to statements by deputy AG Savvas Angelides who said the bill is necessary for “drawing the line between freedom of speech and recklessness.”
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been alerted over the matter by Akel MP Irene Charalambides, and is expected to issue a legal opinion.
“Excessive monetary fines, imprisonment, content controls and corrections all pose significant threats to press freedom, and have no place in laws on media regulation,” MFRR said.
“We stand firm in solidarity with Cypriot journalists in opposing these regressive measures.”
The bill has been discussed at the House legal committee for three years, which met over the matter 10 times.
Cyprus’ press freedom index dropped 10 points in 2024 according to Reporters Without Borders. The country currently ranks at 65th out of 180 countries, down from 55th place in 2023.
The latest EU Commission Rule of Law report for 2024 highlighted there had been no further regulatory changes to the framework relating to transparency of media ownership.