About this Episode
In this episode of Greek News in English, Luca and Lane discuss the nationwide journalists' strike taking place in Greece on June 5th and June 12th, 2025. They explore the reasons behind the strike called by various journalist unions demanding fair wages after a 17-year freeze on collective agreements amidst employer resistance. The hosts examine detailed union demands including salary increases, improved working conditions, ethical safeguards including AI usage rules, as well as broader implications related to labor rights and media ownership transparency. This episode offers an insightful breakdown of ongoing tensions affecting Greece's media sector based on information from dnews.gr.
Article Discussed: "Απεργία δημοσιογράφων - Χωρίς ειδήσεις σήμερα - Dnews"
Author: Newsroom
https://www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/ellada/530265/apergia-dimosiografon-xoris-eidiseis-simera
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Episode Transcript
Luca: Welcome to Greek News in English! Today, we're diving into a significant event impacting the media landscape in Greece — a nationwide journalists' strike that has effectively put news broadcasts and reporting on pause.
Lane: That's right, Luca. On June 5th, 2025, journalists across all media outlets in Greece began a 24-hour strike, with a second one scheduled for June 12th. This action stems from ongoing disputes over collective labor agreements and fair wages.
Luca: So let's break down what actually happened. The strike was called by the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists (POESY) and several journalists' unions including ESIHA and others. They decided on two consecutive 24-hour strikes starting at 5 AM on June 5th and again on June 12th, covering all journalists nationwide.
Lane: Exactly. During these periods, no news is being broadcast or published by journalist-staffed channels and websites. This is a powerful move to highlight their demands for decent wages and collective bargaining rights after years of stalled negotiations.
Luca: And the reason behind this strike? The employers' associations have shown what the unions call 'unprecedented intransigence.' Despite no claims of financial hardship, they refuse to engage in meaningful collective bargaining or raise wages that haven't been adjusted properly for inflation in nearly two decades.
Lane: Yes, the article points out that this freeze has lasted for 17 years, forcing many journalists into individual contracts that create significant pay disparities. The unions also criticized major employer groups like the National Private Television Stations Association and the Internet Publishers Association for rejecting their requests outright.
Luca: The unions are demanding quite a list: an introductory salary of 1,250 euros across all media outlets; a 10% raise based on previous contracts; fair compensation for weekend work; increased allowances for assignments outside headquarters; and even specific daily compensations for work in war zones or disaster areas.
Lane: They also want institutional demands integrated into contracts — things like ethics codes, anti-SLAPP regulations to protect against abusive lawsuits, binding rules on AI use in journalism, fair payment of intellectual property rights across print, radio, TV, and online platforms; plus emergency financial aid to offset rising living costs.
Luca: Right. They’re pushing back against exploitative contract practices prevalent in public media too — calling for restoration of bonuses like the 13th and 14th salaries and pensions as well as ending abusive project-based contracts. It’s clear they want comprehensive reforms both economically and structurally.
Lane: Furthermore, they urge employer associations to abandon their extreme rigidity and call on the Ministry of Labor to take initiative so free collective negotiations can succeed industry-wide with binding agreements covering everyone involved.
Luca: The unions are also mobilizing their members to participate massively in these strikes with a central rally planned at ESIHA headquarters at Akadimias Street in Athens at 11 AM on June 5th. It’s not just about pay but dignity and fair treatment within their profession.
Lane: This strike highlights broader issues around workers’ rights amid economic pressures like inflation eroding real wages daily. It also touches upon transparency concerns regarding media ownership concentration which can affect journalistic independence — something the unions want addressed through contractual protections.
Luca: Absolutely. The fact that some of Greece's wealthiest business groups are among those refusing negotiations adds another layer of complexity here — it raises questions about power dynamics between media owners and working journalists during challenging economic times.
Lane: And while we have detailed demands from the unions and know about employer rejection so far, the article doesn’t provide updates on any government response beyond calls for ministry involvement nor does it speculate on possible resolutions yet.
Luca: So summing up: Greek journalists are striking twice this month due to stalled wage negotiations after nearly two decades without updated collective agreements. They demand fair pay increases, better working conditions including protections against unfair contracts, plus systemic reforms involving ethics codes and AI usage rules.
Lane: This situation underscores persistent challenges faced by media professionals balancing economic realities with journalistic integrity. It also reflects wider labor struggles against entrenched employer resistance amid rising living costs affecting workers everywhere.
Luca: Thanks for unpacking this complex story with me today! We’ll keep an eye out for developments as these strikes unfold next week here on Greek News in English.
Lane: Thank you all for listening! Stay informed and engaged as this important labor dispute continues shaping Greece’s media landscape. Until next time from Greek News in English!
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