While the Greek government is preparing to hastily push the harshest austerity measures through parliament, reporters’ unions are proceeding with incomprehensible strike actions for nearly 6 days, till Wednesday April 27, in protest to the social security and taxation draft proposed by the government, essentially gagging the media. The unions’ actions play right into the hands of the Greek government, offering it great services, as it would benefit from an information blackout, leaving the Greek public completely unaware of the fourth memorandum. The strike actions called by POESI (a major reporters’ union) come at very convenient time for the Greek government and have caused outrage among journalists wanting to inform the public and serve its interest, while checking and scrutinising the executive power of the government.

PROTO THEMA’s position

It is undoubtedly a fact that the media and its workers have suffered great ‘blows’ in the years of the economic crisis, as one in two professionals in the industry are unemployed. It is also a fact that underpaid employment and wage cuts are prevalent in the media like in all of Greek society. Many media businesses are barely ‘hanging on’, trying to meet their financial obligations and stay afloat. Of course, no-one is happy with the new intervention against the reporters’ social security Fund planned in the new draft bill by Labour Minister George Katrougalos, as it will ‘tear to shreds’ what is left of the journalists’ pension Fund and medical cover. So what should we do to oppose this? Yes, all means of actions are necessary against those ‘stealing’ the livelihood and dignity of thousands of reporters. But not by gagging the media, because that would suit the government and every estate. Not with shutting off the mics, the cameras, the keyboards and the presses. This is what the powers want. To not face any criticism and scrutiny. A strike leaves the government unchecked to pass the measures and decisions it plans without the public being informed about them.