Cyprus-Forum.com

[eracles]

Jason Deans
Monday February 12, 2007
MediaGuardian.co.uk

Ofcom has rejected more than 50 complaints claiming a Channel Five show about buying property in northern Cyprus was unethical and offensive.

The regulator ruled that Five had not breached its broadcasting code, after complaints that the edition of Property Developing Abroad caused offence to the UK's Greek Cypriot community.

Ofcom received a number of complaints pre-transmission, and 57 after Five broadcast the edition of Property Developing Abroad in June last year, mostly from the UK's Greek Cypriot community.

Concerns raised included claims that the show was deeply insensitive, unethical and offensive, for encouraging viewers to buy property in northern Cyprus.

Complainants also criticised what they saw as an inaccurate and partial description of the political, legal and economic background to northern Cyprus.

The territory has been the source of an international dispute since the Turkish invasion in 1974, during which the region's Greek Cypriot population were forced to flee their land and property. Today only Turkey legally recognises northern Cyprus as an independent state.

Five said it and programme producer Granada had considered the island's troubled history, the legality of land ownership in the disputed territory, and the feelings of the UK's Greek Cypriot community.

"Nevertheless, the producers felt it inappropriate to ignore the growing trend of British investors buying property in, and tourists returning to, northern Cyprus," Five added in its defence of the show.

The broadcaster added that the show had featured commentary setting out the relevant historical context, warning viewers that ownership of a lot of land in the territory was in dispute with displaced Greek Cypriots seeking compensation, and stressing that buying property in northern Cyprus was a "risky business".

Ofcom said it recognised that the show "evoked deep and genuine concerns amongst members of the Greek Cypriot community".

However, the regulator added: "Property development in the northern part of Cyprus is a current reality, and Five was entitled to broadcast a programme about it."

Ofcom ruled that Five had taken care in presenting the subject matter, sensibly reflecting advice provided by the Foreign Office website on buying property in northern Cyprus.

The regulator also dismissed complaints that the programme had been pro-Turkish and may have been made with a "hidden agenda" in return for "financial or other incentives" from the "illegal Turkish occupation regime or the government of Turkey".

[shahmaran]

well good!

at least it will keep some of those dirty british pikies from infesting our "unspoiled" lands!