About this Episode
'From Bad to Worse: The Deterioration of Media Freedom in Greece' is a detailed Human Rights Watch report exposing systematic government actions restricting journalism since July 2019 under New Democracy's rule. This episode explores harassment, surveillance scandals involving spyware like Predator targeting journalists, editorial interference in public broadcasters through state funds manipulation, abusive lawsuits against reporters covering sensitive topics such as wiretapping scandals, and ongoing challenges undermining democratic values in Greece's press landscape. We discuss key testimonies from affected journalists alongside broader implications for democracy and EU oversight responsibilities within this comprehensive analysis featured on Greek News in English.
Article Discussed: "Ελλάδα: Η Ελευθερία των Μέσων Ενημέρωσης σε Κρίση"
Author:
https://www.hrw.org/el/news/2025/05/08/greece-media-freedom-crisis
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Episode Transcript
Luca: Welcome back to Greek News in English! Today, we're diving into a serious report from Human Rights Watch about the state of media freedom in Greece. The report, titled 'From Bad to Worse: The Deterioration of Media Freedom in Greece,' paints a troubling picture of how journalism is being restricted under the current government.
Lane: That's right, Luca. This 117-page report details extensive and deliberate restrictions on journalism since the New Democracy party took power in July 2019. It highlights harassment, intimidation, surveillance, and abusive lawsuits targeting journalists, which all contribute to self-censorship and undermine freedom of expression and the public's right to information.
Luca: To break it down chronologically, the report is based on interviews with 26 journalists across various media platforms—print, TV, radio—as well as academics and legal experts. Many journalists were afraid to be identified due to fear of retaliation. The media landscape itself is highly concentrated with a few powerful owners linked to the ruling party controlling much of it.
Lane: Exactly. Twenty-two journalists described an increasingly hostile work environment. Six reported specific harassment incidents by high-ranking government officials related to their journalistic work. One foreign correspondent even said she was considering leaving Greece because the level of violence against reporters seemed to be worsening.
Luca: And it's not just overt intimidation. There’s also evidence of state funds being used strategically to influence journalistic coverage and editorial interference in public broadcasters like ERT and the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. This kind of control undermines independent reporting.
Lane: The report also highlights serious concerns about surveillance. In 2022, there were strong suspicions that the government used spyware called Predator to monitor journalists among others, sparking a major wiretapping scandal. Seven journalists either had proof or strong suspicions they were targets of state surveillance through traditional wiretaps or commercial spyware.
Luca: "For many months I lived under fear," said independent journalist Stavros Malichoudis after discovering he was surveilled by Greek intelligence in November 2021. This fear affected his ability to meet sources and do his work properly—a chilling example of how surveillance can paralyze journalism.
Lane: "Everything you say on television is controlled," said a reporter with over 25 years experience at a major private TV channel. "You have no freedom; everything is checked by higher-ups." This shows how deep editorial control has become within mainstream media outlets.
Luca: "From bad to worse" indeed applies here when we consider legal pressures too. The government reportedly uses abusive lawsuits known as SLAPPs—Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation—to silence critical journalists. For example, Gregoris Dimitriadis, nephew of Prime Minister Mitsotakis and former senior official, filed defamation suits against reporters covering the wiretapping scandal.
Lane: "While recent amendments decriminalized 'simple defamation,' criminal liability remains for 'insult' and 'slander,'" notes Human Rights Watch. This legal framework continues to threaten press freedom by punishing investigative reporting that exposes wrongdoing.
Luca: "There's also a pattern where authorities invoke national security to block disclosure about the wiretapping scandal," complicating whistleblower investigations and transparency around public advertising funds distribution among media outlets," according to HRW's findings.
Lane: "Greece consistently ranks lowest among EU member states in press freedom indexes like Reporters Without Borders," reflecting these systemic problems," says HRW. In February 2024, the European Parliament passed a resolution expressing serious concerns about media freedom and rule of law issues in Greece.
Luca: "Yet despite these warnings from EU bodies, including the European Commission's reports on rule of law concerns, Greek authorities have largely dismissed criticism," HRW points out. Prime Minister Mitsotakis rejected the European Parliament resolution claiming Greece's rule of law is stronger than ever.
Lane: "The Greek constitution guarantees press freedom alongside fundamental EU values," but enforcement appears lacking," says HRW director Hugh Williamson who calls for stronger EU action ensuring Greece respects its commitments and improves media independence.
Luca: "To sum up: this report reveals extensive government interference via harassment, surveillance, legal intimidation, editorial control over public broadcasters, and misuse of public funds—all fostering self-censorship among journalists." It's a stark warning about threats facing democracy in Greece today.
Lane: "Absolutely—and it underscores why vigilant monitoring by European institutions is crucial going forward," she adds. "We hope this episode helps listeners understand these serious challenges confronting Greek media freedom." Thanks for joining us on Greek News in English!
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