Protection for journalists and whistleblowers was raised as a topic by parliamentary Vice President and Special Representative against corruption, Irene Charalambides, at an EU-hosted financial forum against corruption.

The proceedings by the organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) are concluding in Paris on Friday.

Safeguarding those reporting cases of corruption from risk of retaliation must be a priority, Charalambides had said, as well as promoting “a culture of trust between informants and the relevant authorities.”

She recalled her submission of a pertinent bill on the issue and said that within the Cypriot legal framework, whistleblowers are given the opportunity to channel information through various routes, including by informing a trusted political figure, to facilitate the complaints process.

The Cypriot MP said small states faced extra challenges to maintain anonymity and protect whistleblowers.

Social media played a mixed role, she said, as they can provide a platform for whistleblowers exposing corruption, but are also utilised to target, undermine, and retaliate against those who speak out.

On the sidelines of the OECD event, Charalambides met with World Bank Governance Practice Manager for Europe and Central Asia Roby Senderowitsch.

She also met with NGOs combating corruption to exchange views and evaluate possibilities for future activities.