Newsroom
The municipality of Kyrenia has voiced strong objections to a map shown on Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) news that referred to the occupied city by its Turkish name, “Girne.” The city’s mayor, Joesph Violaris, formally addressed the issue in a letter to RIK’s Director-General, Thanasis Tsokos, demanding a correction, a public apology, and measures to prevent similar errors in the future.
In his letter, Violaris described the map’s presentation as politically inappropriate, noting that it contradicts the internationally recognized status of the Republic of Cyprus. He emphasized that depicting Kyrenia under its Turkish name effectively legitimizes the facts on the ground resulting from the ongoing occupation.
In response, Tsokos characterized the incident as “unfortunate” and stressed that there was no deliberate intent behind it. He added that RIK’s news department had reminded editorial staff, particularly when handling breaking news, to exercise extra caution and prioritize accuracy over speed in reporting.
The incident has prompted reactions from residents of Kyrenia, reflecting broader sensitivities surrounding the portrayal of occupied areas and their internationally recognized identities.
