UNION OF CYPRUS JOURNALISTS

THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNION OF CYPRUS JOURNALISTS

ARTICLE 1

NAME – OFFICES

(a) A professional association is hereby established under the name of Union of Cyprus Journalists, hereafter called the Union.

(b) The registered office of the Union is situated in Nicosia and it is housed at RIK Avenue, No 12, Aglantzia, where all the meetings, assemblies and gatherings of the members shall take place and all correspondence to the Union shall be addressed.

ARTICLE 2
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Union are:

(a) To achieve the best possible settlement, through Collective Agreements or otherwise, of the terms of work and employment of the Members of the Union and to regulate the relations between the Union and the Owners of Mass Media (newspapers, magazines, radio and television channels and news agencies) or between the Union members and their employers, or between members of the Union and other workers, as well as between the members of the Union.

(b) To achieve and maintain fair and regular salaries and wages, working hours, working conditions and generally to protect and promote the interests of the members.

(c) To defend by every legitimate means the freedom of the press, the rights and liberties of the Mass Media and of their employees, to ensure the independence of journalists, to safeguard the freedom of expression, speech and opinion, to ensure the unimpeded, timely, proper and full information of the citizens, to raise the quality standard of journalism in our country by continuous improvement of educational and professional training of the journalists, showing lasting respect for the journalistic code and ethics.

(d) The following are also included in the objectives of the Union:

(i) To study the possibility of providing the members with all or some of the benefits in case of illness, accident, unemployment or want and to assist them in case of loss of wages on account of industrial disputes, as well as to provide assistance for the dependents of deceased members.
(ii) To express solidarity with and support by financial or trade union means to the more general demands of the workers and their trade unions.
(iii) To organize lectures, discussions, sports events, gala nights, lectures, theatrical performances and any kind of activity or event in general, always within the context of the Union’s objectives.
(iv) To establish a fund for the functioning of the Union and the fulfilment of its purposes.
(v) To establish a Provident Fund as well as other funds.

ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Membership of the Union is open to any person, regardless of race, sex, nationality, citizenship or religion - which, taking into consideration the provisions of paragraph 5:

(a) Exercises his/her main profession in the employment of a newspaper or magazine published regularly in Cyprus, in a news agency registered in Cyprus, a radio or television station of a professional standard, which operates in Cyprus, or is working abroad as a correspondent for a Cypriot Mass Media, as described above.

(b) Is employed in editing, proof-reading or managing journalistic material as a professional journalist or in capturing and recording events with photographs or cinematographic images as a professional photographer or cameraman, covering the daily and current news, reports and the flow of information.

(c) Earns the main income for his/her livelihood from his/her work as described above.

(d) Is the holder of a school leaving certificate from an Institution of Secondary Education, as well as of any other academic or other qualifications which the Union may from time to time specify by a decision of the Constitutive Assembly. It is understood that the setting of additional qualifications does not affect the capacity of existing members.

(e) Works as a news photographer and cameraman in the reporting-information sectors and has the necessary professional training and at least one year’s experience. It is understood that the setting of additional qualifications does not affect the capacity of existing members.

(f) Is not at the age of retirement.

(g) Works according to the provisions of the Collective Agreement of the Union of Cyprus Journalists or of any agreements concluded by the Union or is committed to claiming the regulation of his/hers terms of employment in the framework of such Contracts and Agreements.

(h) Has adequate knowledge of the Articles of the Constitution and of the Code of Ethics of the Union, the latter being incorporated in the Constitution, and is bound to respect it and abide by it.

(i) Has not been sentenced to imprisonment for an offence of dishonourable nature, which, in the opinion of the Administrative Council of the Union, renders him/her to be unfit for membership.

(j) Is a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus or an expatriate or, in the case of any other non-Cypriot citizen, is the holder of a permit by the competent Authority to work in Cyprus and, with a reservation under this article, has been in continuous and full employment with the Mass Media in Cyprus.

ARTICLE 4

PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING AND PROCESSING
AN APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

(a) Any person satisfying the requirements of article 3 and wishing to become a member of the Union, may submit the special application form to the Administrative Council of the Union, as provided for in the Constitution, and which is available at the Offices of the Union. The application must be endorsed by five regular members of the Union, which have been membership holders of the Union for at least two years and are up to date with their subscriptions, as provided by the Constitution. The application must be accompanied by the necessary certificates and written attestations (education, work - by the employer stating his/her terms of employment - birth, Social Security) and two pictures of the applicant.

(b) As a rule, the Administrative Council shall consider applications for membership three times every year (February, June and September).

(c) The applicant shall be invited to appear before the Administrative Council or one of its officials or panels in order to clarify or confirm issues and facts relating to his/her application and his/her employment in the journalistic profession in general.

ARTICLE 5
MEMBERS

Union members are classified as Provisional, Regular, Associate or Honorary.

(1) The Union may register as provisional members those deemed by the Administrative Council to satisfy the provisions of Article 3. Provisional members do not have the right to vote or be elected, they are entitled to obtain the Union’s press card in the capacity of “provisional member,” they enjoy the same benefits as the regular members or those benefits provided for in the Constitution and the Collective Agreement, and have the obligations defined in the Constitution and in the Collective Agreement.
(2) The Union may register as regular members those deemed by the Administrative Council as satisfying the provisions of Article 3 and who are:

(a) Holders of a Diploma of a School of Journalism at University level and have been fully employed in the Media – as specified in article 3 – for at least six months, or
(b) Diploma holders of Another University School or School of Journalism and have been fully employed in the Media – as specified in article 3 – for at least one year, or
(c) Holders of a graduation certificate from a school of Secondary Education and who have been fully employed in the Media – as specified in article 3 –for at least two full years.

Regular members have the right to vote and be elected, subject to the provisions and the requirements of the Constitution, they enjoy all the benefits and rights defined in the Constitution and in the Collective Agreement and the various Schemes and Funds of the Union and bear the responsibilities stipulated in the Constitution and the Collective Agreement.

(3) The Union may register as associate members those deemed by the Administrative Council to satisfy the provisions of Article 3, and are mainly self-employed as journalists or news photographers. Those who in any way act against the aims, purposes and interests of the Union cannot obtain associate membership or may be deprived of it.
Associate members do not have the right to vote or be elected. They may, if they so wish and provided they fulfill the related obligations, enjoy the benefits and grants accorded to regular and provisional members. Once they pay the registration fee as provided in the Charter as well as the standard subscription, they are entitled to obtain the Union’s press card in the capacity of associate member.
(4) Honorary membership is open to those who have particularly distinguished themselves for their intellectual, cultural, social or political activity and for their contribution to society and the country. Honorary members shall be approved by the General Assembly.
(5) Any applicant whose application has been rejected shall be informed by the Administrative Council on the grounds for the decision and he/she may submit a fresh application after one year. He/she may also appeal against the decision to the Union’s General Assembly, whose decision is conclusive.
(6) Any member (provisional, regular, associate or honorary) which in the opinion of the Administrative Council ceases, for any reason whatsoever, to fulfill the requirements and the provisions of Article 3, loses his/her membership status, by a reasoned decision of the Administrative Council taken by absolute majority of the members present and voting. The Administrative Council shall reach its decision having heard the views of the member immediately affected.

A decision by the Administrative Council to strike out any member shall take effect immediately, but the expelled member may appeal against it at the next General Assembly of the members of the Union. The Assembly shall have the right to confirm or review the decision by the Administrative Council by simple majority of the members present.
(7) A decision by the Administrative Council to register a member shall cease to apply if the person directly concerned fails to come to the offices of the Union to pay the registration fee specified in the Constitution and the subscription for the first year within a period not exceeding two months from the date he has been notified in writing about the decision of the Administrative Council.

ARTICLE 6
ASSETS OF THE UNION
1. Regular
(a) The registration fee which is specified by decision of the Administrative Council and is payable simultaneously with the registration as a member of the Union.
(b) The annual subscription which is specified from time to time by the General Assembly of the Union.

The annual subscription is paid as a lump sum before the annual General Assembly takes place. The subscription may be deducted from the member’s salary by the employer or may be deducted from the Provident Fund by its Committee and paid to the Union in the beginning of the year. Any member whose subscription is in arrears for more than two years and does not pay the amount due within two months at the latest from the date he has been notified by the Cashier in writing, shall consequently have his Union membership suspended. Membership shall be restored when the affected member settles the subscription fees owed by him/her and the Administrative Council has ascertained that he/she satisfies also the other requirements provided for in the Constitution. It is understood that if any member is reasonably hindered from work or is unemployed, he/she shall not be obliged to pay any subscription during the period of his/her unemployment or hindrance.

( c) The revenue from the sale of publications, Constitution copies, press cards and badges.

2. Special assets
Gifts, bequests, money collections, revenue and benefits from performances, dances, lotteries and other activities and events.

ARTICLE 7
UTILISATION OF ASSETS

Funds may be used for the following purposes, always within the financial capabilities of the Union:
(a) For the payment of wages, allowances and expenses of the officials.
(b) For the payment of management expenses, including expenses for the financial auditing of the Union.
(c) For the payment of legal fees incurred by the Union or members according to article 9.
(d) For the handling of industrial disputes by the Union or its members.
(e) For the compensation of members for loss of wages which might arise from industrial dispute.
(f) For the payment of subsidies to members or their dependents due to death, old age, illness, accident or unemployment.
(g) The construction, purchase or renting of any building or land for the purposes of the Union. In the case of purchase of such land and purchase or construction of such building prior approval of the Members by simple majority vote of the General Assembly is required.
(h) For the payment of subscriptions or other contributions to any legitimate Federation of two or more Trade Unions, or to any body of persons which has been set up to coordinate the action of any Trade Union or of any of its Branches, as specified in its Constitution.
(i) For the payment of subscriptions or other contributions to charitable or educational institutions or organizations.
(j) For the payment of contributions to any registered Trade Union by way of supporting it when faced with financial difficulties.
(k) For the payment of allowances to members in case of want that might arise from reasons beyond their will, the provision of medical assistance and the provision of medical supplies and medicines to the members and their dependents.
(l) For the educational and professional training of the members.
(m) For the organization of any theatrical performances, music concerts, sport games or excursions and of any other events suitable to the purposes of the Union.
(n) For the purchase of books, newspapers and magazines, as well as for the maintenance of the reading room used by the members.
(o) For the editing, printing, publication and distribution of any book, newspaper or other publication for the promotion of the purposes of the Union, as defined in Trade Union legislation, or for promoting the interests of the members.
(p) For the payment of loan interest and legitimate taxes.
(q) For any legitimate purpose provided for in this Constitution.

ARTICLE 8
INVESTMENT OF ASSETS

Union funds may be invested in any Government bonds, in stocks and shares of public companies which are listed in the Cyprus Stock Exchange, in the shares of Joint Pharmacies or other companies which are established and operate exclusively to serve the interests of their members in the fields of Health and Welfare, as well as in deposits with any bank which is licensed to carry on bank activities in the Republic, or in any Co-operative Bank, or Co-operative Savings Bank which are registered in the Republic.

It is understood that the value of investments by the Union in the shares of public companies which are listed in the Cyprus Stock Exchange shall not exceed 2% of the company in which the investment is to be made and 15% of the monetary reserves of the Union.

ARTICLE 9
MEMBERS’ BENEFITS

1. The Union may provide its members with the following benefits, provided its finances permit it to do so:
(a) PROFESSIONAL BENEFITS. These are industrial dispute allowance, legal advice and any other assistance whenever this is necessary, in accordance with the provisions of Trade Union law.
i. The amount of industrial dispute allowance may be specified by the Administrative Council in proportion to the damage sustained by the member and the other circumstances and shall be paid to any member who has been called upon by the Union to go on strike or suffered lock-out by the employer during an industrial dispute between the said employer and the Union, or was dismissed by the employer on account of any industrial dispute. Members who go on strike without the approval by the Administrative Council shall not be eligible to any unemployment benefit.
ii. It is understood that legal advice and assistance may be provided in accordance with Trade Union Law, whenever it shall be deemed necessary and it is feasible, by the Administrative Council, to any member who is not in arrears with his subscriptions and following his/her request.

(b) WELFARE BENEFITS: A welfare benefit may be provided in case of illness, accident, unemployment, want and old age, as well as for medical care and medicine in the above cases.
Any member wishing to be granted any of these benefits must submit a written application to the Administrative Council, stating the case and the reasons for the application. Following an investigation and having been convinced that the applicant is really in need of such benefit, the Administrative Council may provide it for him/her for as long a period as it deems necessary and provided the Union has the financial capabilities. It is understood that these benefits may not be extended beyond four (4) weeks for any one year for which the applicant has been a member of the Union. If the period for which he/she has been a member exceeds three years, these benefits may not be extended beyond twelve (12) weeks, unless the Administrative Council, in very exceptional cases, decides otherwise.

(c ) The creation of places of rest and recreation for Union members, which
shall operate according to Regulations.

2. In case of death of any member, the Administrative Council may provide the funeral expenses and a certain amount of money to the family of the deceased.

3. It is understood that only members which have settled all their obligations to the Union shall be entitled to the above benefits. In providing the above benefits the financial situation of the Union shall be taken into consideration, among other things.

ARTICLE 10
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

1. Each member is obliged to pay his/her registration fee as well as his/her subscriptions, to accept and respect the decisions of the Administrative Council and of the General Assembly and to contribute to the progress of the Union according to his/her capabilities.

2. If any member, taking into consideration the provisions of article 6(1)(b)falls behind in his/her subscriptions for two years and more and does not pay them within two months from the date so notified by the Cashier, then the Administrative Council may strike the defaulting member from the Union. The Administrative Council shall decide about the re-registration of the member following a relevant application, provided the member pays up all the outstanding subscriptions.

3. All the members are jointly responsible for the debts and liabilities of the Union.

4. Each member of the Union shall be entitled to receive free of charge and following a written application to the Administrative Council, a copy of the annual balance sheet, as this has been submitted to the Registrar of Trade Unions.

5. The Union shall remain independent and as a constituted Body it shall remain apart from any political or party disputes. It is understood, however, that any member as an individual may belong to any political camp or party if they so wish.

ARTICLE 11
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

Any member who:

1. Refuses to conform to the Constitution of the Union or to the decisions of the Administrative Council or of the General Assembly, violates the principles of the Code of Ethics, as stipulated in the Constitution, exposes the Union through his/her behaviour, behaves in a hostile manner towards the Union or acts disruptively towards the Union or causes damage to the interests and the property of the Union.

2. Is in default of his subscriptions without excuse for over two years or is unjustifiably absent from three successive General Assemblies or all-workers assemblies convened by the Union, shall be subject to the following disciplinary penalties, which the Administrative Council may impose, having previously considered all the conditions and circumstances for the charge:
(a) Reprimand
(b) Temporary suspension of up to 6 months
(c) Permanent expulsion, which must be approved by the General Assembly.
3. It is understood, however, that any member who is temporarily suspended shall not be free of his/her responsibilities to the Union, during the penalty period. The member’s rights shall nevertheless be suspended.

4. Any member may launch a written application or any written complaint to the Administrative Council in respect of the handling or management of Union affairs by the Administrative Council, stating fully the nature and grounds for his/her complaint. The Administrative Council, within a month from the date of receiving such a complaint, which must be signed by at least a quarter of the Union’s regular members being up to date with the payment of their subscriptions, must convene a special General Assembly to consider the complaint. The General Assembly shall either absolve the Administrative Council of any blame, censure or dismiss it. In the case where the Administrative Council is dismissed, its members shall at once vacate their posts and the same General Assembly shall appoint a five-member committee, which will immediately proclaim and oversee the convening of an electoral assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution for the election of President and members of the Administrative Council.
Any member may also submit in writing to the Administrative Council a complaint or protest for any situation which he/she deems as constituting a threat against the freedom of speech and expression.

Forty regular members have the right to submit to the Administrative Council an application asking for the convening of a special general assembly to examine an issue related to an industrial dispute or professional problem, which concerns a group or the members of the Union as a whole. The Administrative Council shall be obliged to convene such general assembly the soonest possible.

5. Any member of the Union wishing to resign shall submit his/her resignation in writing to the Administrative Council but shall not be exempt from his/her obligation to pay up his/her subscriptions falling due during the year the resignation was submitted.

6. Any member who has resigned may re-register as member of the Union, provided he/she pays up all his/her previous financial obligations to the Union.

7. Any member who has handed in his/her resignation shall be deprived of all his/her rights over the capital and the property of the Union, as well as of his/her right to be a member of the Journalists’ Provident Fund, but he/she may draw his/her contributions to this Fund under the provisions of the Fund’s Statute.

ARTICLE 12
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL,
POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The Administrative Council shall be composed of nine (9) members, that is the President, the Vice President, the General Secretary, the Cashier and five (5) Councillors, over the age of 21 who have been regular members of the Union for at least four years and are not members of the Administrative Board or officials of another organization registered under the Trade Union Law. The Administrative Council has the right to appoint a receiver or receivers from among the Union members, when it deems this to be suitable.

2. The members of the Administrative Council shall be elected among and by the regular members of the Union at a General Assembly by secret ballot, held in accordance with article 19, for a three-year term of office.

The Administrative Council:
(a) Shall handle and manage the work of the Union and shall generally act for it and on behalf of it, having as its primary duty always the effort for the achievement of the Union objectives.
(b) It shall be entitled to divide the members in professional sectors pertaining to their work place or their activities and shall invite the members of the professional sectors to General Assemblies for the election of sub-committees for the purpose of preparing studies and submitting reports on their work and on matters relating to their profession. Such studies and reports shall be submitted to the Administrative Council. No other decision shall be executed than those approved by the Administrative Council of the Union.
(c) It shall oversee the management of the Union activities in general, shall keep accounts and carry out checks from time to time on the cash money which is in the hands of the Cashier and other Union officials.
(d) It shall see to it that the provisions of the Constitution are respected.
(e) It shall draft regulations for the normal conduct of the work of the Union and for the achievement of its purposes. These regulations shall be approved by the General Assembly.
(f) It shall properly manage the property of the Union in accordance with the Trade Union Laws applicable at any given time and shall be able, subject to article 7, to use money which is necessary for the activities of the Union and the achievement of its aims, but nevertheless it may not raise a loan or loans in excess of fifty thousand pounds without the prior approval by the General Assembly.
(g) It shall meet regularly every 15 days and on special occasions upon the request of the President, the General Secretary or two members of the Administrative Council. Minutes of the meetings shall be kept in which the dissenting members and the grounds for their dissent shall be recorded. No decision of the Administrative Council shall be valid, unless a quorum has been formed in the meeting at which the decision is taken. A number of members constituting the first integral number over half of the total number of members shall be required to form a quorum.
(h) It shall declare vacant the post of any member of the Administrative Council when this member resigns or is absent without cause or reasonable excuse for more than (3) regular meetings. In such a case the Administrative Council shall appoint to the one or more vacant posts any of the alternate members in succession or if they do not accept or there are not any, it shall appoint any members which satisfy the relevant conditions of the Constitution.
(i) In the case where more than four (4) members of the Administrative Council resign immediately or periodically during their tenure, a special General Assembly shall be convened to elect a new Administrative Council, in accordance with the provisions of article 19.

3. The following signatures shall be binding on the Union.
(a) For correspondence and internal and public announcements, the signatures of the President and the General Secretary or – in the incapacity or absence of the President – those of the Vice-President and the General Secretary. In case the General Secretary is absent or incapacitated, the signature of the President will suffice.
(b) For the agreements with the employers, the signatures of the President and the General Secretary, or – in the incapacity or absence of the President – those of the Vice President and the General Secretary. In case the General Secretary is absent or incapacitated, the signature of the President will suffice.
(c) For loans or other contracts, the signatures of the President, or the General Secretary, and the Cashier.
(d) For the withdrawal of money from the Bank, the signatures of the President or of the General Secretary and the Cashier.
(e) For the payment of members’ subscriptions and registration fees, the signature of the Cashier or of any authorized receiver.
4. The members of the Administrative Council shall offer their services to the Union without remuneration, unless the Administrative Council were to decide on special payment for allowances and salaries to certain members for work which they have undertaken following prior instructions. The President or the General Secretary or any member of the Administrative Council may, provided they so wish and the Administrative Council considers it to be suitable and necessary, assume the role of paid Executives.

5. The Administrative Council may from time to time appoint sub-committees by special resolution to study and submit reports on projects or issues concerning the aims of the Union, as well as to organize galas, feasts, lunches, lectures, dances, theatrical performances and excursions towards the financial support of the Fund.
6. The whole of the mobile and real property of the Union shall be registered under its name and be entrusted to the Administrative Council.

7. The entries in all the books and registers of the Union shall be made in ink.

ARTICLE 13
PRESIDENT – VICE PRESIDENT
GENERAL SECRETARY - CASHIER
1.The President shall have the following responsibilities:
a) He shall preside over the meetings of the Administrative Council and of the General Assemblies and conferences and shall represent the Union along with other members of the Administrative Council, wherever necessary , in negotiations, contacts or other events and actions relating to Union issues.
b) He shall prepare the annual report of the Union.
b) He shall prepare and sign, as stipulated in the provisions of article 12, the documents and the correspondence of the Union.
c) He or the General Secretary shall sign together with the Cashier all bank cheques issued in the name of the Union.
d) Together with other members of the Administrative Council, he shall see to the execution of the General Assembly resolutions and of the Administrative Council and to the orderly functioning of the Union, according to the Charter.
e) The president may, provided he accepts so himself and the Administrative Council so decides, assume an Executive role with a salary, specified by the Administrative Council and approved by the General Assembly. In such a case he shall see that:
aa) A members’ Register is kept showing the serial number, name, address, education qualifications and date of birth of each member, their registration date, their date of withdrawal, the registration fee and the subscriptions paid by them.
bb) A Book of Minutes is kept in which to record fully and precisely all the decisions of the Administrative Council and of the Assemblies. The names of the nominated candidates for any office and the election results for any officials shall also be recorded fully and precisely in the same.
cc) A Record is kept showing in detail all the property, the furniture and articles of the Union and their corresponding value.
dd) The correspondence of the Union is properly carried out and files are kept for outgoing and incoming documents.
ee) The books, the minutes of Administrative Council and General Assembly meetings, as well as the archives of the Union are suitably kept in safe place.
ff) All payments are made, in consultation with the Cashier, and the financial obligations of the Union are met.

f) In the case where the President is absent from a meeting of the Administrative Council or from a conference, the Vice President shall preside or if he is also absent, the chairmanship shall be undertaken by one of the members of the Administrative Council present who will be elected for this purpose.
g) If the President does not wish to exercise the role of a paid Executive, another member of the Administrative Council may assume such role by special resolution of the said Body or the Administrative Council shall announce elections for the position of an Executive Secretary among the members of the Union.

2. The duties of the Vice President are the following:
He/she acts for the President in his/her absence, exercising the full rights and
responsibilities of the President.

3. The General Secretary:
a) In his/her function as an Executive he/she shall take care of everything provided for in sub-paragraph f of Article 13.1
b) In the case where he/she is absent from a meeting, he/she shall be replaced by one of the members of the Administrative Council present, who shall be elected for this purpose.
c) He/she shall send to the Registrar of Trade Unions before the 15th of January a general report of money receipts, funds and an expense account, showing in detail the assets and liabilities at the previous 31st of December as well as the receipts and expenses of the year immediately preceding the date on which the general report is made. He shall present separately the expenses regarding the various purposes of the Union and shall prepare the report in such a way and include such details as the Registrar of Trade Unions shall ask from time to time, and shall also show all the amendments to the Constitution, as well as any other change regarding the officials, which were made in the previous year. He/she shall submit a copy of the Union Constitution as this applied on the 31 December of the previous year in accordance with Trade Union Law.
d) He/she shall conform in general to the provisions of Trade Union Law, to the Trade Union Regulations and to the existing Constitution.

4. The Cashier:
a) Shall see that the following are kept:
aa) A Cash Book in which to enter fully and precisely all the receipts, contributions, money collections and all the payments made by the Union or its members.
bb) Receipt stubs for the issue of serialized receipts in duplicate for all the receipts or contributions of money from or by the Union, copies of which shall be attached to the stub.
cc) Receipt stubs for the issue of numbered receipts in duplicate for all money payments from or by the Union, copies of which shall be attached to the stub.
dd) A book for stubs, receipts, takings and payments in which all the above stubs shall be entered in detail.
b) Shall be responsible for the money of the Union which is in his/her possession or under his/her control.
c) Shall supply the Administrative Council, with the assistance by the Accountant of the Union, with a balance sheet of the Union whenever he might be requested to do so or upon his/her resignation or at the Annual General Assembly or whenever the General Assembly might ask for it.
d) Shall give, with the help of the Auditor of the Union, a true and correct account of all the money receipts and payments made by him/her, of the remainder of the money that is in his/her possession or of any other property of the Union, which is entrusted to him/her since the day he/she assumed his/her duties or from the date of the latest accounts, whichever is their last date.
e) Shall see that every amount exceeding one hundred (100) pounds is deposited in the name of the Union in a Bank in Cyprus, or a Co-Operative Savings Bank or a Co-Operative Credit Company registered in Cyprus, as provided for in the Trade Union Law, but he/she shall not withdraw any money without the joint signature of the President or the Secretary of the Union.
f) Shall surrender to the Administrative Council, if so asked, after the auditing of the accounts, any balance owed to the Union, as well as all promissory notes, books and other property of the Union which is in his/her possession or under his/her control.
g) Shall send to the Registrar of Trade Unions, whenever so requested, detailed accounts of the Union for a specified period and shall show and supply in detail, with the help of the Auditor of the Union, any information which might be asked of him/her in respect of the accounts and he/she shall generally conform to the provisions of Trade Union Laws and Regulations.
h) Shall see that the members’ registration and subscription fees are paid against a receipt, as shown in the following form:

UNION OF CYPRUS JOURNALISTS Number…………..
This is to certify that Mr/Ms…………………………………
From……….has paid CYP………………in fees for
Registration or subscription for………………………………..
Date…………..20 The Cashier…………………………

i) The Cashier may be assisted by receivers who shall be appointed by the Administrative Council and who shall be under his/her control and be accountable to him/her for all the takings.
j) Every official whose duties carry a monetary responsibility shall provide such security as may be requested by the Administrative Council.

ARTICLE 14
CONSTITUTION AND CODE OF ETHICS COMMITTEE

1. A five-member Committee for the Constitution and Code of Ethics is hereby established, which shall undertake:
a. The monitoring of the members’ adherence to the Constitution and the Code of Ethics of the Union.
b. The examination of complaints against members of the Union for behaviour against fellow journalists or contrary to the Code of Ethics.

2. The Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee shall be composed of the President of the Union, three Union members known for their prestige and long-standing service – either regular or associate – elected every three years by the General Assembly, in accordance with the provisions governing the election of members of the Administrative Council, and a jurist or member of the judiciary of high professional standard and wide esteem and acceptance, who shall be appointed by the Administrative Council and assigned to the chairmanship of the Committee.

3. In the case where there are not enough candidacies for the Committee, the Administrative Council shall be obliged to make appointments to the three positions, taking into consideration the provisions of Article 14 (2).

4. If a member of the Union is found blameworthy for an offence which, in the opinion of the Committee, is morally obscene or if the said member is, in the opinion of the Committee, guilty of shameful, fraudulent or other behaviour incompatible with the Code of Ethics, the Committee may impose the following penalties:
(a) Public reprimand
(b) Recommendations
(c) Call to public apology
(d) Temporary suspension of membership for a period not exceeding one year
(e) Expulsion from the Union

It is understood that in order to be valid, the penalties (d) and (e) must be endorsed by the Administrative Council and may be cancelled or modified only by decision of the General Assembly, which shall be convened by the Administrative Council within a month, upon the request of the member concerned and with the support of at least 20 regular members, which are up to date with their financial obligations to the Union.

ARTICLE 15
CODE OF ETHICS
The Code of Ethics of the CUJ shall be incorporated in the Constitution and adherence to it shall be compulsory for all members. The same holds for the Code which is likely to be adopted jointly with other Mass Media agents. The Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee, as well as the Administrative Council undertake to monitor the implementation of the Code of Ethics.

ARTICLE 16
AUDITORS

1. The Annual General Assembly shall elect at least one natural or legal person as auditor, who should be a qualified accountant or the holder of a certificate of competence issued by the Accountant General of the government. This qualified person must not be a Union member and must be approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions.
2. The auditor/auditors:
(a) Shall have authority to freely audit all the books and documents, which are amenable to their duties.
(b) Shall check the accounts and the books of the Union once a year or when the position of an official is filled, whose duties carry a monetary responsibility and on any other occasion that this may be deemed necessary or if this were required by the General Assembly.
(c) Shall prepare an annual report on the financial situation of the Union and on the way the accounts have been kept. This report shall be submitted to the Annual General Assembly and to the Registrar of Trade Unions.
(d) Shall prepare the accounts of the Union in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Union Laws and Regulations.
3. A copy of the Auditors’ annual report shall be prominently displayed on the notice board in the Offices of the Union.

ARTICLE 17
DISMISSAL OF OFFICIALS

1. Any member of the Administrative Council or Union official may be dismissed after a decision of the General Assembly taken by secret ballot, on the following grounds: Neglect of duty, fraud, incompetence, refusal to carry out decisions by the Administrative Council and for any other reason which the General Assembly may deem sufficient in order to safeguard the interests of the Union. The officials – Vice President, General Secretary and Cashier – may be replaced by other members of the Administrative Council by decision of the Administrative Council. The President may only be replaced by the General Assembly.
2. All the officials before withdrawing from their post, shall be obliged to surrender to the new officials all the books, moneys, notes, receipts, letters and other property of the Union, which have been entrusted to them and shall receive a relevant receipt.
3. Any member of the Administrative Council who is involved in a case under discussion, shall withdraw from the meeting while the discussion lasts, but he/she will always be given sufficient opportunity to be heard.

ARTICLE 18
GENERAL ASSEMBLIES

1. There shall be Regular and Special General Assemblies of the Union.
(a) REGULAR ASSEMBLIES: The Regular Assembly shall be held once a year during the months of April, May, or June. During this Assembly the Administrative Council shall present to the members a report on the general situation of the Union and submit the audited accounts, the balance sheet of the Union and the Auditor’s annual report on the financial situation of the Union, as provided in article 16 (c) of this Constitution. The General Assembly shall then proceed to elect a new Administrative Council, provided it has completed a three-year tenure.

(c) SPECIAL ASSEMBLIES: Special General Assemblies shall be held whenever the Administrative Council deems this to be necessary or in accordance with article 11(4) or when ? of the members submits a written application to the Administrative Council explaining the reasons for holding such an Assembly, provided the applicants have settled all their monetary obligations to the Union up to the date of signing the application.

2. The Administrative Council of the Union shall give notice of at least eight (8) days, by displaying the announcement on the notice board, or by publications in the Cypriot press, which should state the date, the time, the place and the agenda for the General Assembly. The Administrative Council shall announce the electoral General Assembly, which is held every three years, at least four weeks before it is due to be held, together with all the provisions of the Constitution concerning the submission of candidacies and the election.

3. No work shall be embarked upon at a General Assembly, unless a quorum has been formed at the commencement of the Assembly proceedings. A quorum shall be considered as formed when at least half the members of the Union are present, which have a voting right and which constitute the first integral number over half of the total.

4. In case there is no quorum, the Assembly (regular or special) shall postpone its proceedings for half an hour, after which all members attending shall constitute a quorum.

5. In the case of a hang vote, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.

6. The register of the members which hold a voting right must be read out before the General Assembly embarks on the agenda, in order to ascertain the number of the members present and their names, which then must be entered in the Book of Minutes and so determine whether a quorum has been formed or not.

7. Only the regular members have a voting right, as specified in article 5 (2) of the Constitution. The associate and provisional members, as specified in article 5 of the Constitution, may attend such General Assemblies and participate in all the discussions, but they do not have a voting right, nor can they be elected.

8. Any member who, at least one month before the day the Assembly is convened, has not settled his/her financial obligations to the Union, shall not be able to vote, excepting those who are unemployed.

9. On issues pertaining to the election of officials or representatives, change of name, merger with another Trade Union, establishment of or entering into a Federation or Confederation, amendment of the Constitution, dissolution of the Union, strike by members who are affected by an industrial dispute requiring the approval of the Administrative Council and of the General Assembly, confidence to the Administrative Council or other important issues submitted to the General Assembly, decision shall be taken by secret ballot. On all other issues, decisions shall be taken by acclamation or a show of hands, unless 1/3 of the members present who have settled their financial obligations to the Union, ask for a secret ballot.

ARTICLE 19
ELECTIONS

1. The regular members of the Union shall elect the members of the Administrative Council, of the Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee and the Auditors at the Annual General Assembly every three years. Eligible candidates are the members who have completed at least four years as regular members, attended at least one of the three previous successive annual general assemblies of the Union and have fully paid their subscriptions at least one month before the day of the electoral assembly.

2. The President of the Administrative Council shall be elected by direct secret ballot in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph 18 of this article.

3. Offers of candidature for the positions of President, the other eight members of the Administrative Council and the three elect members of the Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee shall be submitted at twelve noon the latest on the 15th day before the elections. The nominations shall be announced in the Press on the day following the expiry of the deadline for the submission of candidatures.
4. Candidates for the position of President are entitled to address the Union members briefly in order to expound their views during the vetting election assembly, held two weeks before the submission of candidatures.

5. The General Assembly shall elect a five-member Supervisory Committee among its members. Elections shall be held under the supervision of the Supervisory Committee, which manages the vote and takes every measure, which in its judgment is required for the smooth conduct of the elections.

6. The General Assembly shall proceed to the election of the Supervisory Committee after it has heard and discussed the annual report of the Administrative Council on its activities and the general situation of the Union, after the Cashier has submitted the audited accounts and the report on the financial situation of the Union and their discussion has been completed. The election of the Supervisory Committee shall be carried out by nomination and show of hands, unless there are more candidates, whereupon a vote shall take place in a way to be decided by the General Assembly.

7. The Supervisory Committee shall be composed of five Union members who are not candidates for the election and are up to date with their subscriptions and financial obligations to the Union. The Chairman of the Supervisory Committee shall be elected by its members and its decisions shall be taken by majority and shall be final.

8. The Supervisory Committee shall meet immediately after its election; it supervises the conduct of the elections, counts the votes, handles the issue of the final results and proclaims the winners.

9. The General Secretary and the Cashier of the outgoing Administrative Council shall hand the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee three ballots – one for the candidates for the position of President, one for the candidate members of the Administrative Council and one for the candidate members of the Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee – with the names of the candidates written in alphabetical order and bearing the Union seal, or a single ballot on which are entered in alphabetical order in separate columns the names of the candidate Presidents, the candidate members of the Administrative Council and the candidate members of the Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee and on which there is also the Union seal. They shall also hand a list bearing the names of all the members who have a right to vote. This list shall function as an electoral register and will enable the Supervisory Committee to conduct the elections smoothly, allowing only those members to vote which have a voting right in accordance with the Constitution. The Supervisory Committee shall keep a record of the number of ballots it has received.
10. The electors shall vote in person and the Supervisory Committee may ask for verification of identity.

11. All of the electors shall vote for the election of President, the other members of the Administrative Council and those of the Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee, as stipulated in the Constitution.

12. Each elector shall be given the required ballots after their identity has been checked and it has been verified that they are Union members holding the right to vote.

13. The voting shall be carried out by writing the sign + or X or V opposite the name or the names of the candidates who are the choice of the voter.

14. Each elector shall cast the ballot in the corresponding ballot box.

15. A ballot on which more candidates have been voted for than the number of members for each elective Body, and also where there has been an infringement of the conditions in sub-paragraph 13 or the preference of the voter is not clearly expressed or when the Supervisory Committee rules that the secrecy of voting has been glaringly violated, shall be considered invalid. The voting of fewer candidates does not render the ballot invalid.

16. Voting ends at 6 p.m. on the same day of the elections, but it may be extended by decision of the Supervisory Committee, if there are voters in the place of the election waiting to cast their vote.

17. At the end of the vote, the Supervisory Committee shall withdraw to a private space and proceed to the counting of the ballots in a manner that it shall decide by itself. After it has completed the count the Supervisory Committee shall write down the names of the candidates with the number of votes they have each received in a Minutes, stating those who have been elected as regular members as well as the runners-up. The Minutes shall be signed by all the members of the Supervisory Committee and be surrendered together with the ballots, both those used and those that were not used, to the elected President. The number of votes – valid and invalid – shall also be entered in the Minutes, together with any objective observations that the Supervisory Committee might want to make.

18. In respect to the position of President the candidate who musters the first integral number over half of the votes shall be elected. In the case where none of the candidates has mustered the above number of votes , the election shall be repeated in the same way a week later between the two candidates who have won the highest number of votes.
19. As new members of the Administrative Council shall be elected the eight candidates who have won by majority, while those next in order of success (up to four, provided there are so many) shall be listed in order of success as runners-up. As members of the Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee shall be elected the three candidates who won most of the votes. In the case of a tie for the last position, the election shall be decided by lot, carried out by the Supervisory Committee.

20. The newly elected President within a week shall convene the new Administrative Council in its first meeting, during which the Vice President, the General Secretary and the Cashier shall be elected by secret ballot.

21. The election of auditors shall be carried out by decision of the General Assembly, simultaneously with the election of the Administrative Council. Persons who are licensed certified accountants shall be eligible for election.. The election shall take place by nomination and acclamation.

ARTICLE 20
FILLING VACATED POSTS

1. In case the position of President is vacated, his duties shall be exercised by the Vice President and elections for a new President shall be held under the responsibility of the Administrative Council within a period not exceeding two months, all things considered, in the same manner described in the provisions of article 19.

2. The new President shall be elected for the remaining term of the previous President.

3. In the case where the position of President is vacated less than a year before the expiry of his term, the Vice President shall deputize and no elections shall be held to fill the position.

4. In case a member’s position in the Administrative Council is vacated the first runner-up shall occupy it and so forth. If more than four positions are vacated within two years before the term of the Administrative Council expires, then elections shall be held for a new Administrative Council for the remaining term.

ARTICLE 21
INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS

1. Any regular member may, upon a written application to the General Secretary, inspect the books and the accounts of the Union.
2. The Union shall keep and safeguard a Members’ Register, which any regular member may inspect upon a written application as specified in article 21(1).

ARTICLE 22
SALARIED EMPLOYEES

The Union, if its interests warrant it, may pay salaries to paid clerks or employees, either alone or in combination with other Trade Unions. It shall pay as compensation the wages or the salaries of those members of the Administrative Council or Union members, which temporarily left their profession on account of Union work.

The Administrative Council may appoint a salaried Executive Secretary, who shall be entitled to attend the meetings of the Administrative Council without a right to vote.

ARTICLE 23
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES AND STRIKES

(a) When a dispute arises between members of the Union and their employer, the Administrative Council shall exhaust every reasonable means of settling the dispute in consultation directly with the Employer. Should this not be possible, however, the Administrative Council shall place the issue before a local assembly of the members directly concerned, which shall decide on the course of action.

A decision to strike can be taken by secret ballot and simple majority of the members directly concerned and affected by the industrial dispute, requiring the approval of the Administrative Council for its implementation. If a quorum is not formed at the assembly which is convened to make the decision, the assembly shall be postponed for 48 hours. If again there is no quorum, a third assembly shall be called within 48 hours, which decides regardless of the number of the members present.

A decision for a general strike in a sector ( newspapers or magazines, or radio or television stations), can be taken by secret ballot and simple majority, at a general assembly in which more than half of the members of the Union employed in the Sector are present. If this quorum is not formed, the assembly shall be postponed for at least 48 hours and the members of the Sector shall be informed of the new time it will be held by an announcement published and broadcast in the mass media. This second assembly shall be considered to be in quorum regardless of the number of members present and may decide to go on strike by secret ballot and simple majority of those present.

The same procedure shall be followed also in the case of a dispute or suggestion for a general strike in all the mass media – written press and electronic.

The approval of the Administrative Council shall be required for the implementation of a decision to strike in a Sector or in all of the Sectors of the mass media.

(b) The Administrative Council may, when it sees fit, establish and maintain a Union Strike Fund, by means and ways which it considers suitable. The money of the Strike Fund shall be used to strengthen and support industrial struggles by the Union and its members, which are proclaimed and waged in accordance with the Constitution provisions.

ARTICLE 24

COMMITTEES IN THE WORK PLACE

A. LOCAL COMMITTEES

Local assemblies shall, in the presence of a representative of the Administrative Council, elect Committees in the work places – mews papers, magazines, radio and television stations and news agencies - to deal with local problems and see how to settle them, like respecting the Collective Agreement and the other vested rights, either by direct action with the Management and the employer or in cooperation and consultation with the Administrative Council. The Local Committees shall constitute the Contact of the Administrative Council with the members and the agency for the promotion and implementation of the decisions of the Administrative Council and of the general assemblies and in general of all the objectives and purposes of the Union.

The local assemblies shall decide the number of Local Committee members.

Each Local Committee shall elect its President. Their term may last from one to two years, as the local assembly shall decide.

The Administrative Council shall from time to time call joint meetings of representatives of all the Local Committees to discuss issues and problems concerning the Union in general and the totality of the members or/and special meetings of the Local Committees of the various media within the same Group.

B. SECTOR COMMITTEES

The Administrative Council shall act so as to bring about the formation of Sector Committees by Union members in the various media sectors – newspapers, magazines, radio and television – which have as their purpose to deal with the particular problems in each sector, always under the supervision and in cooperation with the Administrative Council within the context of the policy, objectives, principles, the Constitution and the Collective Agreement of the Union.

The Sector Committees shall be composed of representatives of the Local Committees of each Sector. Each Local Committee shall appoint one representative to the Sector Committee, whom it shall replace in case he/she ceases to be a member or resigns or changes place of employment.

The Sector Committee shall elect its President, who shall take care of the meetings and the functioning of the Sector Committee and shall be its contact with the Administrative Council.

C. SECTOR UNIONS

Sector Unions shall be formed in each town, except Nicosia, in which all the Union members, local correspondents and journalists shall participate. Such Sector Unions shall function strictly on the basis of the provisions of the Constitution and in cooperation with the Administrative Council of the Union and in this framework they may have their own activity programme.

D. JOINT GENERAL COUNCIL

Local representatives of all the media, who are elected at local assemblies in each medium (newspaper, magazine, radio station, television station and news agency) shall form a Joint General Council in all the towns with the following ratio: Up to 10 members 1 representative, up to 20 members 2 representatives and over 20, 3 representatives. The Joint General Council shall be convened by the Administrative Council once every four months and on special occasions as may be considered necessary, in order to be informed on important issues that concern the Union, the mass media and the field of journalism, to discuss such issues and to express views and positions, which shall be of an advisory nature to the Administrative Council.

E. SECTOR OF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS

Professional press correspondents, whether Cypriot or foreign, working with non-Cypriot mass media based and resident in Cyprus, may register with the Union as members of an autonomous Foreign Correspondents’ Sector associated with the Union. These members shall pay a registration fee and an annual subscription, as provided for under the Union Constitution, but shall not have the right to vote and be elected to the various organs of the Union. They shall elect their own Committee, which will take care of issues concerning the foreign correspondents in Cyprus and the journalistic profession and shall cooperate in this with the Administrative Council of the Union.

An assembly of Sector members shall approve Regulations governing the composition, the structure and the mode of election of the Committee.

ARTICLE 25
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

This Constitution may be amended, abrogated or expanded following a decision by a Constitutive Assembly at which at least half of the total number of members who are up to date with their financial obligations plus one shall be present. If there is no quorum the constitutive assembly shall be postponed for half an hour. Again if there is no quorum, the assembly shall be postponed for one week. If there is still no quorum on this occasion, even after a half-hour extension, then the assembly shall be postponed for another week, whereupon any number of members present shall be considered as forming a quorum. Amendments to the Constitution shall be effected by majority decision of the members present at the Constitutive Assembly. All changes to the Constitution shall be communicated to the Registrar of Trade Unions within 14 days from the day they were made, accompanied by the legitimate fee.

It is understood that any changes shall apply from the date they have been approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions.

ARTICLE 26
MERGERS

The Union may merge with another Trade Union or other Trade Unions or form a Federation with other Trade Unions, following a decision taken by secret ballot at a General Assembly by 2/3 of the total number of Union members, which have the right to vote. It is understood that such merger shall have to be approved by the Registrar of Trade Unions.

ARTICLE 27
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION

The Union shall be dissolved and cease to exist when the number of its members falls below 20 or when 75% of regular members support or ask for its dissolution in writing. In the case where the Union is dissolved, all of its assets shall become property of the State after all of its financial obligations have been settled.

ARTICLE 28
MISCELLANEOUS

1. The Union shall have an official seal which shall bear the name of the Union. It shall also have its own standard and emblem.

2. Words used in the singular in this Constitution, may be replaced by the plural, unless this runs contrary to the meaning.
3. Every member of the Union shall be obliged to buy a copy of the Constitution. The Administrative Council shall be obliged to print and sell the Constitution to the members, as well as to any persons wishing to obtain a copy.

4. Ignorance of the Constitution shall not be accepted as an excuse for its violation.

5. The Administrative Council shall pronounce on whatever is not included in this Constitution, on the basis of the spirit and the principles of the Constitution, and its pronouncements shall be approved by the next General Assembly.

6. Where not otherwise provided in this Constitution or in the legislation, the decisions of any organ shall be taken by simple majority.

7. The Union of Cyprus Journalists was founded on 22 June 1959 and was registered under the Trade Union Law of 16 June 1960. The General Assembly approved this Constitution on 3 March 2004.

ARTICLE 29
JOURNALISTS’ CODE OF ETHICS
A. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES BY THE I.F.J.

The Union of Cypriot Journalists adopts and incorporates in its Constitution as binding positions for its members the following Declaration of Principles by the International Federation of Journalists:

“This international Declaration is proclaimed as a standard of professional conduct for journalists engaged in gathering, transmitting and commenting on news and information in describing events.

1. Respect for truth and for the right of the public to truth is the first duty of the journalist.

2. In pursuance of this duty, the journalist shall at all times defend the principles of freedom in the honest collection and publication of news, and of the right of fair comment and criticism.

3. The journalist shall report only in accordance with the facts of which he/she knows the origin. The journalist shall not suppress essential information or falsify documents.

4. The journalist shall use only fair methods to obtain news, photographs and documents.

5. The journalist shall do the utmost to rectify any published information which is found to be harmful and inaccurate.
6. The journalist shall observe professional secrecy regarding the source of information obtained in confidence.

7. The journalist shall be aware of the danger of discrimination being furthered by the media, and shall do the utmost to avoid facilitating such discrimination based on, among other things, race, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinions, and national or social origins.

8. The journalist shall regard as grave professional offences the following:
• plagiarism
• malicious misrepresentation
• calumny, slander, libel, unfounded accusations
• acceptance of bribery in any form in consideration of either publication or suppression.

9. Journalists worthy of their name shall deem it their duty to observe faithfully the principles stated above. Within the general law of each country the journalist shall recognize in professional matters the jurisdiction of colleagues only, to the exclusion of every kind of interference by governments or others.”

B. IN MORE DETAIL

In addition and in more detail to the above Declaration of Principles by the International Federation of Journalists, the members of the Union of Cypriot Journalists adopt and undertake to respect, observe and safeguard the following positions and principles:

• Any form of censorship regardless of its origin and manifestation is prohibited.
• Freedom of the Press, speech, expression, opinion and criticism.
• The journalist shall remain independent of any intervention, influence or pressure - either from within or without the mass information media – seeking to compromise his/her mission of presenting the news correctly, fully and timely.
• The journalist shall always be guided by the truth in reporting unhindered, objective and unbiased information.
• The journalist’s access to information sources– state or private – shall be unimpeded. Information is not the property of any authority, but belongs to the citizen as a fundamental human right.
• There must be true diversity and full transparency in the media. The journalist shall oppose the concentration, oligopoly or monopoly of the media.
• The journalist shall respect the rights and the dignity of the citizen and the private lives of people. A journalist or a press medium may write about the individual life of people only when this is deemed imperative for the public interest, which in such a case supercedes the obligation to respect private life.
• The right of reply shall be respected.
• The citizens and their agencies shall have access to the media.
• False and damaging reports or broadcasts shall be speedily and satisfactorily rectified.
• Defamatory reports or broadcasts shall be avoided.
• Any form of bribery shall be rejected. The journalist shall not accept any consideration or concessions of any kind, which aim at influencing him in the exercise of his professional duties.
• Indiscreet intervention in personal mourning and any reports or broadcasts, which may aggravate human suffering, shall be avoided. Where the intervention is deemed necessary, it should be made with understanding and discretion.
• Extra care must be taken in the publication of photographs or the transmission of images, especially in the case of accident and crime victims.
• The identity of rape victims shall not be disclosed and restraint must be shown in publishing details, which might lead to the establishment of their identities.
• The journalist’s right to secrecy and confidentiality and non-disclosure of a source of information entrusted to a journalist shall be respected.
• The identity of minor offenders shall not be disclosed and interviewing minors without the presence or the consent of their parents or guardians shall be avoided.
• Restraint shall be shown in referring to prosecuted persons or suspects as being guilty.
• Using images and mentioning the identity of innocent relatives shall not be permitted, unless it is absolutely necessary in presenting the facts.
• Direct and honest means should be used in gathering information, taking pictures and making films, tapes and images. Unusual methods should be used only when there is no other way of securing information, images and other material, which is absolutely necessary in the public interest.
• The titles used must always correspond to the texts.
• Advertisements and editorial material must be separated.
• The journalist shall disclose his/her identity – and also that of the medium for which he/she is working – when making an interview or taking a statement for an article or broadcast. When taping a conversation with or a statement by somebody – live or by telephone – the journalist shall be obliged to make this known to the interlocutor.
• In presenting controversial issues, the views of all the parties involved must be given.
• Assumptions or speculations shall not be presented as facts.
• Praising and inciting crime and violence is prohibited.
• The intellectual property and creative work of others must be respected.
• The journalist must adhere to the ideals of freedom, democracy and peace, as well as to human values.
• Any form of discrimination and humiliation on grounds of race, religion, nationality, colour, belief, gender, physical appearance, disease, profession or social class must be detestable.
• The trade union and labour rights of journalists must be safeguarded and entrenched, namely to belong to their professional association and to satisfactorily regulate their pay and other work conditions through collective bargaining and collective agreements. Working journalists should participate in the decision-making organs of the media.
• Journalists:
- Shall not act and write contrary to their professional code and conscience and shall not permit others to force them to do so.
- They shall maintain professional solidarity and a high standard of professional ethics.
- They shall not seek personal advantage at the expense of their colleagues.
- They shall not go against the professional aims, objectives and struggles of the Union of Cypriot Journalists.
- They shall protect their colleagues from calumny and slander.
- They shall not exploit and shall not repress their colleagues.
- They shall not carry on any work which is demeaning to the journalistic profession.

C. RESPECTING THE CODE

The Constitution and Code of Ethics Committee shall monitor and look after the respect of the Code – acting either on its own initiative or upon the initiative of the Administrative Council of the Union or following recourse to it by members or third parties in writing.
If a member is found in breach of the Code, the Committee shall impose the sanctions provided for in the Constitution.

ARTICLE 30
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
TO THE UNION OF CYPRIOT JOURNALISTS

To the Administrative Council
of the Union of Cypriot Journalists

I would like to apply for membership to the Union of Cyprus Journalists. My details are as follows:

1. Full name:…………………………………………………………………………
2. Date of birth:………………………………………………………………………
( A birth certificate and two recent photographs of yourself should be attached)
3. Identity Card No:………………………………………………………………….
4. Social Insurance Card No:………………………………………………………..
5. Passport No:………………………………………………………………………..
6. Education:………………………………………………………………………….
(Copies of relevant certificates should be attached)
7. Field, sector, place and years of work in the media: (Relevant certifications should be attached):……………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Terms of employment:
………………………………………………….(Certifications by your employer and the Managing Editor should be attached).

9. Relationship with the Employer ( owner, shareholder, Executive Director,
Administrator):……………………………………………………………………
10. Address-Telephone No:…………………………………………………………..

Signature of applicant Supporters (five members of the Union of
Cypriot Journalists, which have been
regular for at least two years and are
up to date with their subscriptions):
1. …………………………………
2. …………………………………
3. …………………………………
4. ………………………………….
5. …………………………………..
Date:……………………………..