Greek public broadcasting shutdown

The surprise closure of the public broadcaster ERT provokes anger and a general strike as thousands are fired.

Submitted by Thrasybulus on June 12, 2013

The Greek government has ordered the immediate shutdown of the public broadcasting company(ERT). The surprise move was announced on Tuesday and took effect hours later as TV screens went blank. Thousands of people instantly lost their jobs and the decision is being condemned and challenged by the workers of ERT and other trade unions.

The first effect of the closure is the sacking of 2600 workers. Such sackings were a condition of Greece's last bailout deal imposed by the Troika with more expected later in the year. New Democracy(ND), the coalition government leader, acted alone when issuing the closure order with its junior partners refusing to back the move. This has angered the other coalition members and could threaten the stability of the government.

ERT workers are doing their best to keep broadcasting over various satellite and internet streams. Many workers have kept a physical presence in the ERT buildings and have vowed to stay. On Wednesday evening thousands gathered in solidarity in Athens. Despite this there is the possibility that riot police could be sent into to secure ERT buildings at any time.

Criticism of the switch off has come from across the political spectrum as well as from international bodies. Inside Greece trade unions have reacted to the jobs losses by calling strike actions over the next days. Unions representing journalists and the media called for strikes on Thursday. In addition Greece's two largest unions have also declared a 24 hour general strike on Thursday 13th in solidarity.

ERTs significance is as Greece's only non-commercial TV and radio broadcaster with all other stations being privately owned. Whist the network has been criticised for staying close to the government line during the crisis the loss of public broadcasting is being labelled a blow to democracy. Greece is falling down the rankings for press freedom as governments have arrested or replaced critical journalists, closed independent media and now switched off the only non-private station.

The manner of the shutdown has angered many as such a major decision was taken without going through the standard democratic procedures. Since its election one year ago the ND government has tolerated no opposition. The attempted closure of Athens Indymedia earlier in the year, the forced ending of strikes and attacks against squats all point to a government determined to push through austerity measures against popular resistance.

Comments

Mark.

10 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mark. on June 13, 2013

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General strike today - ERT currently broadcasting on
http://www.zougla.gr/livecamera/article/flash-camera-4

Mark.

10 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mark. on June 15, 2013

Schedule for Greek television channel 3 ( ERT3) for today (source):

08.00 - 10.00 A discussion with students occupying the school of drama


10.00 - 11.00 Thessaloniki's Pride 


11.00 - 13.00 Anti - Racist/Migration movement


14.00 - 15.00 Self- management, the VIO.ME experiment


16.00 - 17.00 The struggle against Efkarpias SMA 


17.00 - 19.00 The Skouries movement 


19.00 - 24.00 Live coverage of music festival in front of ERT3s building


24.00 - 03.00 Open discussion regarding the #occupy movement: "The squares of dignity and democracy" with direct connection with people from Tahrir - Taksim

Live streaming here

Mark.

10 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mark. on June 30, 2013

Out of a job, Greek state TV staff take over the show

Since Greece's government abruptly pulled the plug on state broadcaster ERT, the sprawling TV complex has turned into a unique experiment in self-rule where staff are working for free but with more passion than ever.

Under pressure from its international creditors to cut costs and reform the public sector, Greece's fragile government shut down ERT and made its 2,700 employees redundant overnight.

Many will not return when a slimmed-down version of the broadcaster, which the government agreed to following a public outcry, eventually goes back on air.

But in the meantime, employees are going it alone and revelling in the spirit of independence and solidarity filling the studios and busy corridors of ERT's headquarters in suburban Athens...