Cyprus proposes media platform for two communities — Cyprus Mail
In Cyprus, the author of a column published by Cyprus Mail proposed creating an independent bilingual television and digital platform, Cyprus Connect. Under the concept, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots would jointly produce programmes on culture, education, science, healthcare, climate and everyday life.
The author proposes not creating separate broadcasts for two audiences, but involving representatives of both communities in producing shared content. The platform would be available on television and social media and would retain editorial independence.
Shared content
According to the author, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are divided not only territorially and by constitutional disputes, but also by school textbooks, newspapers, political speeches, commemorative dates and family histories. The column notes that children often absorb selective perceptions of the other community before personally meeting its representatives.
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Cyprus Connect could cover and support existing joint initiatives in literature, art, music, theatre, cinema, science, education, technology and other fields. Schools could jointly create science programmes and documentary projects, while artists, musicians, families, teachers, farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs and athletes could talk about their work.
Governance principles
The platform is proposed to be established as a non-profit public trust governed by a bicommunal council of civil society representatives. In the author’s view, appointments of council members should be transparent and funding should be diversified so that no government, party or interest group could influence editorial policy.
The author also stresses that opening crossing points alone does not guarantee contact between communities. In his view, trust is built through sustained and visible opportunities for interaction. The column mentions Marlon Brando, who after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. called on Americans to move from sympathy to action and later protested against stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans in Hollywood.
