For the second year in a row, Greece has ranked last among European Union countries in the World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The Index highlights problems such as government interference in media, ongoing surveillance scandal, abusive lawsuits, and hostility towards journalists, which have created an uncomfortable and unsafe working environment for journalists in Greece. Though the Greek Government dismissed the RSF report, ignoring the problem could prove detrimental to the country’s reputation for freedom of the press.
## Media Freedom in Greece
The challenge to media freedom in Greece is not new. There have been ongoing concerns about curbs on media freedom and an increasingly inhospitable environment for civil society in the country for some time. In a report on Greece‘s rule of law in 2022, the European Commission warned that media freedom was deteriorating, and that attacks and threats against journalists continued. The Commission also noted the narrowing of space in Greece for groups working with migrants and asylum seekers. The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, released a report in June 2022 that reached similar conclusions, stating that “inconvenient or unflattering” news reports do not get enough coverage on numerous media outlets and that journalists face criminal lawsuits and strategic lawsuits against public participation for their investigative reporting on corruption and environmental pollution.
The situation is worrying and has implications for Greece‘s democracy. Free media and a vibrant civil society are the cornerstones of stable and functioning democratic countries. With allegations of government interference, a fair and independent democratic election in Greece, or any country, is impossible. Therefore, it is crucial that the Greek Government takes action to protect media freedom and ensure that journalists can carry out their work without interference.
## Progress Made
In recent times, there has been some progress made in Greece regarding media freedom. For instance, in April 2023, Greek authorities announced the arrests of two suspects in connection with the 2021 assassination of Giorgos Karaivaz, a crime reporter. Such actions, according to RSF, are key to ensuring media freedom in Greece, even though it believes full accountability for the murder of Karaivaz requires the arrest of all those responsible for the crime.
## Conclusion
With the forthcoming national elections in Greece, it is essential that candidates pledge to restore media freedom in the country. They must also demonstrate trust in the ability of journalists to do their job without interference. It is crucial to preserving democracy, stability, and the country’s reputation for freedom of the press. Breaking and effective global monitoring of media freedom is essential, and Greece must respond with action to reverse its position in the World Press Freedom Index. Failure to do so could have adverse consequences for the country’s reputation, economy, and democracy.
<< photo by Michael Dziedzic >>