Cyprus publisher’s murder: An abhorrent crime…

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OPINION

The cold-blooded murder on Monday night of Andy Hadjicostis, CEO of the Dias Publishing Group and Sigma TV, was condemned by one and all as a “heinous act” and an “abominable crime”, as many believe it to be a blow to democracy.
It is unlike any other homicide in Cyprus as it has upset the fine balance between an open media and a maturing society that is still grappling with the merits of freedom of expression.
It is also hard to pin the crime on any one group with business, national or other interests. What is clear, however, is that the local media industry is now poorer as the younger Hadjicostis was known to be the driving force of many of the Dias Group’s new ventures and successes.
Those who knew Andy recall his pleasant personality and modern administrative skills that signaled a transition from the old school of traditional media barons to the younger generation of highly educated and technologically proficient managers.
Although the family-controlled media group prides itself of its strong views on national issues, Andy preferred to stay on the sidelines of policy-making and chose to run the magazines, newspaper and radio stations on the grounds of commercial efficiency, public appeal and even glamour.
The Union of Journalists expressed its deep shock and abhorrence, while the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEV) said that “the media and business communities have been deprived of a tireless and productive leader.”
The Association of Newspaper Publishers added that “Andy Hadjicostis’ murder is not only a heavy blow to his family, it is also a blow to democracy, freedom of speech and the role of the mass media in the present trying times of this nation.”