The Cyprus radio and television authority on Wednesday warned media outlets on the island to use “correct Greek”.

It said it had received complaints from readers and listeners of radio and television shows regarding incorrect Greek being used during broadcasts.

It then referred to the rules regulating broadcasts on the island, which state that “the generally accepted rules of grammar and syntax of the Greek language are taken into account and observed during the writing, presentation and subtitling of broadcasts”.

An authority spokesman informed the Cyprus Mail that complaints had been made about misspelt words in subtitles and graphics on television shows and on occasion in speech made by presenters.

However, he said, the use of the Cypriot Greek dialect is not considered by the authority to be incorrect Greek or a violation of the rules and is as such permissible.

The authority said it calls on all broadcasters to “take all necessary measures to ensure the correct use of Greek language in their programmes”.

It also stated that “the same applies for the writing and presentation of foreign language broadcasts and the pronunciation of foreign names and words in Greek-language broadcasts”.

Foreign language programmes, it said, should “as far as possible” be “voiced by persons who speak the language of broadcast as their mother tongue”.

Failure to comply with these rules, it added, may result in the imposition of sanctions.