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Greece's Media Oligarchs: A Threat to Press Freedom
An investigation reveals how a few powerful Greek oligarchs control the country's media landscape, influencing politics and suppressing critical journalism.
German
Germany
PoliticsMiddle EastEuropean UnionCorruptionBusinessMediaPower
SolomonErtNational Council For Radio And Television (Ncrtv)OlympiakosPaok
Danae MaragoudakiVangelis MarinakisIvan SavvidisVardis VardinogiannisGiorgos Plios
- What is the state of press freedom in Greece compared to other EU countries?
- Greece ranks poorly among EU countries regarding press freedom, largely due to complex media ownership structures dominated by a few powerful businessmen.
- How do media owners in Greece use their power to influence politics, and vice versa?
- These oligarchs often use their media holdings to support the government in power, receiving government contracts and favorable treatment in return. This leads to self-censorship and a lack of critical reporting on sensitive issues.
- Who controls the majority of Greek media, and what is the nature of their business interests?
- Investigative team Solomon's 18-month investigation revealed that major Greek media outlets are controlled by a small group of oligarchs with interests across various sectors, including shipping, oil, and tourism.
- What is the current state of print media in Greece, and how does it compare to other media forms?
- Newspapers in Greece, like elsewhere, are losing popularity to online news sources and social media; however, the print media still holds sway due to its perceived legitimacy.
- Why is transparency in Greek media ownership so important, and what are the consequences of its lack?
- The lack of transparency in media ownership, combined with the financial struggles faced by many outlets, creates an environment where press freedom is compromised and critical journalism is stifled.