The Liberties report specifically cites the use of spyware against journalists in Greece, a practice it notes has also been observed in Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. It critically points out that in 2023, the use of national security as a pretext for surveillance was highlighted in a European Parliament committee report, which condemned the deployment of such measures against journalists in several EU states, including Greece.

Moreover, the report discusses the troubling use of state advertising funds in Greece, suggesting a biased allocation that favours government-friendly media outlets. This practice, it suggests, skews public discourse and undermines media pluralism, echoing similar concerns raised about media environments in Hungary and Romania.

Adding to these concerns, the report also details the issue of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) lawsuits, which are used to silence journalists through legal battles. The report mentions the case of Grigoris Dimitriadis, who has reportedly sought substantial sums in damages from journalists reporting on the wiretapping scandal, illustrating the legal pressures journalists in Greece face.

Another significant concern highlighted is the centralization of media ownership in Greece, with most influential media companies controlled by a handful of powerful businessmen. This concentration of media power, the report argues, could pose risks to diversity of opinion and editorial independence.

The findings of the Liberties report underscore an environment where freedom of the press is significantly compromised, reflecting broader issues of governance and transparency within the country. This comes alongside observations from the European Commission, which has pointed out the misuse of national security justifications by EU member states, including Greece, to enact measures against journalists that are both illegal and intrusive.

ThePressProject podcast #108, about the fall of press freedom in Greece

Thirty-eight places worse than in 2021 and last in the ranking of EU countries, press freedom in Greece is undoubtedly in free fall. According to the annual report of Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), in a total of 180 countries, the country referred to internationally as the matrix of democracy has plummeted in just one year from 70th to 108th place in 2022. You can listen to the first and the rest of the English episodes below: 

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