CyBC journalist returns to news show after assured of independence

Presenter and journalist Dinos Phinicarides returned to state broadcaster CyBC’s prominent afternoon news show Apo Mera Se Mera on Tuesday after having received assurances from top executives that there will be no interference.

He returned after having resigned last week following a row over alleged meddling in the programming of the show, after Edek MP Kostis Efstathiou was seemingly disinvited last minute.

On Tuesday, Phinicarides addressed the audience in a one-minute direct monologue in which he stated that he had spoken with the directors of the broadcaster and was assured that there will be no restrictions.

His resignation last week led to outrage throughout social media but also to strongly worded statements being issued by top politicians who called for an investigation into the matter.

Accusations of censorship and muzzling the press came as Efstathiou, who has taken a critical stand against embattled Edek president Marinos Sizopoulos, was due to discuss the party’s surprise conference – which later led to a snap leadership election.

Phinicarides resigned in protest. CyBC soon after held an extraordinary meeting and the body’s president Michalis Michail put the matter down to an ‘internal misunderstanding’.