Greek GUE/NGL MEPs added their views to a European Parliament plenary debate today on the closure of Greek public television.

GUE/NGL MEP Nikos Chountis said: “For the 23rd day the national broadcaster is closed. We hear the Commission saying that they are not responsible as it was a decision from the Greek government as part of their efforts to modernise the economy. And the Greek government says that it acted in such a barbaric way because it is obliged to cut around 4000 jobs by the end of the year. And these orders come from the Troika which means that the Commission is indeed accountable.”

He continued: “And can we call a black screen and thousands of people losing their jobs modernisation? It is the private television industry and those who want to make private use of public property that gain from this; culture, history, and freedom of the press lose out.”

GUE/NGL MEP Charalampos Angourakis commented: “For three weeks now the people who worked for the Greek national broadcasting company are continuing a tough but just struggle. I'd like to denounce the majority in the European Parliament who have rejected our request to vote on a Resolution condemning the actions of the Greek government. What the government is trying to set up is a miserable broadcasting company owned by multinationals which will broadcast rubbish.”
 

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group