Deaf Community Accuses RIK and Broadcasting Authority of Eliminating Accessibility

The Pancyprian Federation of the Deaf accuses the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) and the Radio-Television Authority of gradually eliminating accessibility to television programs for people with hearing disabilities.

According to the complaint, during a meeting, a representative of the Radio-Television Authority allegedly stated that "hearing people also have the right not to see two hands waving," commenting on the protests against the abolition of sign language interpretation of news bulletins. The Federation calls the statement an insult and demands a public apology.

The Federation denounces the termination of the midday and morning news bulletins with sign language interpretation, the termination of subtitling in the afternoon news bulletin, and the removal of entertainment content accessible to the deaf. It considers that these decisions contravene the obligations of RIK and the Republic of Cyprus under European directives.

The Federation demands respect for the rights of people with hearing disabilities, the reinstatement of sign language interpretation and subtitling in news bulletins, and an official apology for the statement by the representative of the Radio-Television Authority.