ESK calls for an end to insulting journalists on social media

The ESK (Enosi Syntakton Kyprou, Cyprus Journalists Union) in its statement on April 27 called on residents to refrain from insults and demeaning remarks directed at journalists on social media.

The statement notes that in recent weeks, there has been an intensifying wave of dismissive, defamatory, and mocking evaluations directed at all journalists "in general." According to the organization, these posts are spread and reproduced on social media pages by both anonymous and registered accounts.

The ESK emphasizes that the journalistic community performs a useful function for democratic life and should not be "cancelled," blackened, or subjected to "tarnishing" with ease and without responsibility.

Separately, the Union pointed out that journalists, like any other professional groups, have the right to an opinion and to express that position. In this regard, the ESK considers offensive labels against media workers unacceptable when people disagree with them.

The organization called on all colleagues to resist harassment, provocations, insults, and demeaning characterizations against the professional industry. The statement says that a devaluing approach to journalists as a whole also harms society, which is interested in correct, full, and comprehensive information.