The Cyprus Union of Journalists has condemned as "unthinkable" the practice of police summoning journalists for questioning over published journalistic work.

This criticism follows the summoning of around ten journalists from various TV networks to the Criminal Investigation Department at Police Headquarters. They were asked to provide statements and endorse transcripts of broadcasts in which former Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides was featured.

The Union emphasized that all journalistic work is publicly accessible—whether published, posted online, or otherwise—and, therefore, cannot be treated as a criminal offense. It stressed that applying pressure over journalistic content is unacceptable.

In its official statement, the Union characterized the summoning of journalists as an act of excessive urgency, overzealousness, and needless concern. This, the union claims, should worry every active citizen in Cyprus.

While acknowledging that authorities have every right to investigate any case involving any individual—including former public officials—the Union asserted that journalists and their published content should not be entangled in prosecutorial procedures. According to the union, doing so risks taking the state down a dangerous path that undermines transparency, pluralism, and freedom of expression.

In its concluding remarks, the Union urged the Attorney General’s Office to safeguard journalistic content and ensure it reaches the public without interference.

“The citizen is the final judge—of us, the journalists, and of you, the guardians of Justice,” the announcement concluded.