Don’t Worry, Just Keep Changing

Michael Hedges June 9, 2014 Follow on Twitter

Control over information is an illusion if not folly. Those who view media through the prism of the pre-digital era are always frustrated, often angry. The best media has always been a little anarchy with great production techniques. Some people just don’t get it.

It’s been a year since the Greek government closed, quite quickly, public broadcaster ERT, stunning many in Greece and afar. Never had a European public broadcasting institution been shuttered, facilities padlocked, employees terminated. The government explained its action as necessary to appease demands from the Troika – the European Union (EU), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Central Bank (ECB).

“There was no other choice than the sudden death of public television,” said Greek Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, quoted by German daily Die Welt (July 2, 2013). “The closure showed the government’s determination to solve problems in Greece, although the political cost was high.” Street demonstrations supporting ERT, opposing the government or both continued for weeks. Groups of ex-ERT employees refusing to vacate facilities continued to broadcast radio and television programs, mostly via the internet and satellite link. The government of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was forced into coalition

Hindsight being only slightly less murky, the decision to close ERT was more an ill-conceived spite than a necessary condition for more Troika bailout billions. The European Commission put considerable distance between itself and the Greek government decision, EC vice-president Viviane Reding reminding PM Samaras of the Lisbon Treaty in which EU Member States are cordially required to offer public television. With turmoil brimming, Greek’s highest court halted the ERT shutdown, a brief respite while legal constructs were set to effectively dismantle this public broadcaster. PM Samaras railed about “the undeserving ERT, one of the bastions of obscurity and privilege.”

Politicians across Europe have looked disparagingly at public broadcasters as bloated nuisances in recent years, moaning about highly paid critics on news programs who don’t know their place. Private-sector broadcasters dependent on ad revenues and license renewals are usually far more compliant. Hungary’s government has effectively established a very retro State broadcaster in place of the once well-regarded public broadcaster MTV. Nine months before ERT was closed two newscasters were fired for “unacceptable insinuations” about a politician.

A month ago the New Hellenic Radio Internet and Television (NERIT) appeared (May 4th) offering a slimmed-down version of public broadcasting, two television channels plus an HD channel and two radio channels. Timing, of course, is everything: NERIT debuted the week of the Eurovision Song Contest, which the EBU wouldn’t allow on the temporary channel (DT) set-up by the government. Two days after NERIT channels took to the airwaves president and managing director Giorgos Prokopakis was fired, replaced by university professor Antonis Makrydimitris.

Trade and journalists unions plan to commemorate the one-year anniversary of ERT’s closing this week with a demonstration. Current NERIT employees, about 1,500, work under two-month contracts with the Ministry of Finance without the right to union representation. A few ex-ERT employees continue to operate web channel ERTopen.

“The Greek government is playing games with media democracy,” said UNI Global Union general secretary Philip Jennings in a statement of support from one part of the Brussels establishment. “All promises to reform public service broadcasting in Greece serve as a pretext to destroy it. The fake set-up of NERIT is another blatant lie.”

NERIT TV channels will be carrying World Cup football from Brazil for the next month.

See also in ftm Knowledge

Public Broadcasting - Arguments, Battles and Changes

Public broadcasters have - mostly - thrown off the musty stain of State broadcasting. And audiences for public channels are growing. But arguments and battles with politicians, publishers and commercial broadcasters threatens more changes. The ftm Knowledge file examines all sides. 168 pages PDF (March 2014)

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Press/Media Freedom - Challenges and Concerns

Press and media freedom worldwide is facing challenges from many corners. As authoritarian leaders impose strict control over traditional and new media with impunity, media watchers have concerns for democracy. This ftm Knowledge file accounts the troubles of this difficult decade. 88 pages. PDF (December 2011)

Order here