Nationwide 24-hour strike action was launched by the governing body of media unions from 10 a.m. August 5 through to 10 a.m. August 6. Journalists and other mass media employees such as technicians and photojournalists are participating in the strike in opposition to the amendment to a bill that foresees “mergers” between the electronic media when rendered necessary, thus abolishing the law created in 2007 prohibiting the merging of media groups.

Press unionists argue that the amendment paves the way for mergers under the pretext of cost reduction, throwing a lifeline to overindebted businessmen that left-wing parties believe will further tighten the control of digital media. They claimed that the Lambrakis Group and Pegasus SA, which already collaborate in private TV channel Mega, are planning a merger of all their media operations and are seen as taking pro-government positions. Unionists worry that oligopolies will be created with mergers leading to mass dismissals and a shrinkage of staff sizes.

Twelve mass media union federations from around Greece are participating in the sweeping strike that includes journalists of the press, television, radio and internet as well as technicians and photojournalists.