The House Interior Committee met urgently on Wednesday to discuss ways to safeguard the interests of Cypriot television broadcasters ahead of a possible influx of TV channels from Greece.

Members of the committee appeared cautious over a possible descent of Greek channels to Cyprus, calling for legislative changes to steer clear of the risk of many Greek channels having an impact on local channels, quality of information, and overall quality.

The head of the committee, Akel MP Yiannos Lamaris, spoke of a difficult legislative agenda.

“We must ensure quality and protect the safe operation of broadcasters in our country from the risk of foreign media coming to cover the field,” Lamaris said.

Lamaris also said that quantity does not equal quality, citing Greece as an example with a population of 10 million that decided to operate with just four channels, leaving a great number of broadcasters looking to set shop elsewhere.

Green Party MP George Perdikis also weighed in on the issue, saying competition is tough in television the House ought to find a way to protect Cypriot channels against imported ones within a healthy competition.

Earlier this month, the Cyprus Radio Television Authority (CRTA) warned MPs to be wary of the mass arrival of television channels from Greece to the island saying such a move ‘will only end up bad’ for local viewers.

CRTA boss Andreas Petrides also sent a letter to Parliament as Alpha Cyprus prepares to make its island launch in April. The new television channel is backed by Alpha Greece.

Petrides warned of a scenario similar to that of defunct Laiki Bank and its former CEO – controversial Greek banker Andreas Vgenopoulos – which played a big role in the island’s banking sector derailing and, for which many, Vgenopoulos is blamed for bank’s collapse.

The plan for the House is to bring the issue to a vote before the summer recess, including legislation on the status of Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC).