CNA has consolidated itself as a credible and trustworthy source of information both in Cyprus as well as globally, validating the government's ongoing commitment to invest in the agency with human and financial resources alike, said on Thursday the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in his recorded message at the European Alliance of News Agencies conference held in Larnaca.
He noted that the Alliance was founded 70 years ago out of the need for cooperation among the relatively few European news agencies of that era in an effort to collectively address the shared problems that every media outlet encounters, delivering impartial news while upholding freedom of the press, which is a cornerstone of any democratic society. “Seventy years later, these two fundamental values not only remain the prerequisite for every information provider, but the challenges are even more profound”, he noted.
The digital revolution and artificial intelligence in particular offer significant opportunities in the media sector, while creating challenges at the same time for society and nations alike, he continued, adding that misinformation, inaccurate and fake news, the deceptive use of artificial intelligence and financial and other dependencies are issues that affect us all. “In this environment, the role of the press as a pillar of democracy is more crucial than ever. As we confront these challenges, news agencies stand on the front line upholding the responsible journalism that every democratic society needs,” he further stated.
“The Cyprus News Agency was established 50 years ago in response to the profound necessity to raise awareness in the European and international public opinion about Turkey's illegal invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the ongoing occupation, 52 years later, of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, an independent and sovereign state and a member of both the United Nations and the European Union,” President Christodoulides noted.
He expressed his satisfaction over “the widespread recognition that the Cyprus News Agency has established itself as a creative member of the European Alliance of News Agencies, contributing significantly towards tackling the challenges facing today's demanding media landscape at an international level”.
“Throughout its 50-year history, CNA has consolidated itself as a credible and trustworthy source of information both in Cyprus as well as globally. This success validates our government's ongoing commitment to invest in the agency with human and financial resources alike precisely because we fully recognise the decisive role it plays”, he noted.
He added that CNA serves as a vital information hub for Cyprus, for Europe and the Middle East region, and for the rest of the world, disseminating news on local, international, and regional development, while at the same time, it is a point of contact with the Turkish Cypriot community in the Turkish-occupied area of the country.
“The cooperation between the government and the CNA is institutional, defined by our absolute respect for its administrative independence. By safeguarding its business model, we ensure that the agency is allowed to fulfil its mission as an independent and impartial information provider with unhindered circulation of diverse views and the freedom to exchange ideas, as is the mandate of any truly independent information organisation”, he stressed.
“I have no doubt that CNA, alongside all of you, the remaining fellow member news agencies of the European Alliance, will continue to uphold the fundamental principles of journalism and safeguard the right to information as an inherited fundamental value. With these thoughts in mind, allow me once again to welcome you to Cyprus and wish you every success in the proceedings of your conference and General Assembly," he concluded.
CNA/KA/MK/2026
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY