Paris Demetriades
The proper and prudish tendency to occasionally banish lifestyle media content to the outer darkness is not something I personally relate to. Nor do I believe we should always take ourselves, or life in general, more seriously than circumstances require. On the contrary, there is real value, perhaps even a need, for humorous, lighthearted and feel-good content that entertains us, helps us relax and offers a break from everyday pressures.
That said, there is an important distinction between pomposity and puritanism on one hand, and seriousness and professionalism on the other. The latter seem to have been lacking in a popular Greek travel show that recently visited Cyprus after making its way around much of the world.
Beyond presenting basic historical facts about the island with notable inaccuracies, the program offers what I believe is a fragmented, biased and ultimately misleading picture of Cyprus, one that could understandably leave many viewers frustrated.
From its formulaic treatment of the trauma of 1974 to references to landmarks that miss the mark, such as calling Nicosia's Eleftheria Square the "Post Office Square," and from there to portraying ultra-luxury seaside resorts as the ultimate destination, the show risks reinforcing long-standing misconceptions about Cyprus among audiences in Greece. Given that it is likely to reach tens of thousands of viewers, that is hardly a trivial matter.
I am not suggesting that the producers acted with bad intentions, nor do I doubt that they may have genuinely wanted to present the island in the best possible light. After all, superficial perceptions exist even among people living in different cities and districts of Cyprus itself. Why would things be any different between Cypriots and Greeks?
It may sound amusing, but as someone who has lived in different parts of Cyprus, I continue to be surprised by how readily people accept stereotypical narratives about places they barely know. Sometimes those assumptions are directed at another Cypriot city. Perhaps the only way to truly understand a place is to spend enough time living there to grasp its character and its real DNA.
Regardless, professional productions aimed at large audiences have an obligation to do their homework, no matter what style or tone they choose to adopt. There is a clear line between fact and opinion in journalism. In an era dominated by misinformation, information overload and the anything-goes culture of social media, conventional media, or what I would rather call professional media, have little choice but to take their responsibilities seriously if they want to survive and remain relevant.
The cost of the credibility crisis across today's media landscape is already substantial. It is closely connected to the political and social decay we see around us and may even be one of its driving forces. Once again, this has nothing to do with adopting a lighter or more humorous tone.
There are countless examples of media productions that make a positive contribution through sharp satire, biting humor, or a simple and deeply human approach. These qualities are not the problem.
Yes to popcorn entertainment. Yes to authenticity, simplicity and good-natured fun. But no to the continued spread of shallow stereotypes and mistaken assumptions. The self-appointed saviors of social media are already doing plenty of that.
What is needed is research. What is needed is care.
Just imagine what happens when the subject is far more important than the travel feature discussed here.
