Ink demands evidence from Isotita over payment allegation

Nicosia, Cyprus. Media website Ink has called on police union Isotita to identify who allegedly paid the outlet to publish information, following the union’s claim that an article was published “for a fee, obviously”.

Ink said it rejected the allegation and warned that the matter would take its legal course unless evidence was provided within 48 hours.

Union claim and legal action

Isotita said an anonymous article titled “Isotita trade union and Caesar’s wife” had appeared on Ink and alleged that it had been published for a fee.

Ink said the claim followed what it described as a heated telephone call by Isotita president Prodromos Christofi to one of its journalists, during which references were made to a libel lawsuit.

The outlet said Isotita subsequently initiated legal action against publisher Digital Tree over five related articles.

Ink response

Ink said it fully rejected allegations of bribery and that its management was prepared to defend its journalistic research. It said its legal advisers had already been informed.

According to Ink, the articles were signed by Filiki Eteria, Newsroom and journalist Loizos Antoniou.

The outlet said it is part of Digital Tree e-Publishers Ltd, which has 196 employees and 50 associates and has operated in the media sector for 14 years. It said that where an article is unsigned, the publisher bears legal responsibility both as an individual and as a company.

Ink said it fully adopted the articles concerning an Isotita member and the union itself, including their facts and views.

August 3 call

Ink said that on August 3, between the publication of the second and third articles, Christofi contacted Antoniou, threatened a libel lawsuit and demanded yes-or-no answers.