House Signals CYBC Budget Cut

The House of Representatives has refused to pay an outstanding balance of 8,791,276 euros to the state broadcaster CYBC, apparently reneging on the original 2009 budget of 36,983,200 euros, according to Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis.

The move appears to be a signal that the state broadcaster faces budget cuts into 2010, however, Sylikiotis described the decision as 'inappropriate and unnecessary', and praised CYBC for initiatives to modernise its operations such as making the move to digital broadcasting.

Discussions are still ongoing on the upgrading and modernisation of CYBC as well as its budget for 2010, but in the current economic environment, cuts on public spending are likely to be unavoidable. Last night, CYBC newscasters said that the organisation is struggling to pay some of its employees.