The Greek Council for Radio and Television (ESR) has imposed a fine of 90,000 euros on Alter Ego Media, the parent company of Mega TV, following a complaint by Grigoris Dimitriadis, former Secretary-General of the PM. The complaint was in response to a report aired by the channel regarding the wiretapping scandal and Dimitriadis's involvement.

The case reached the ESR after Dimitriadis, who was dismissed from his position following the scandal’s revelation, filed complaints. His dismissal came on the same day as the resignation of the then head of Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP), Panagiotis Kontoleon.

In its 86-page decision, the ESR stated that Mega TV repeatedly violated the provisions requiring respect for the personal integrity of individuals featured in broadcasts. Dimitriadis had also lodged complaints over six other broadcasts, but in those cases, the ESR ruled either unanimously or by majority to absolve Mega TV.

Mega responded by claiming that the fine was a blow to press freedom and an attempt to silence journalistic investigation. The channel stressed that it had been covering the wiretapping scandal from the outset, a matter of major significance that had attracted widespread domestic and international media attention, including from Politiko, Le Soir, Reporters United, and Spiegel, as well as affecting the political landscape.

The channel also criticized the ESR’s decision, claiming that it was made by the new composition of the council, which, according to political and legal sources, was appointed by the Parliament’s Presidents’ Conference without meeting the required constitutional majority. The selection process involved 16 votes out of 27, just one vote short of the constitutional 3/5 majority.

It is worth noting that in 2022, the CASE (Coalition Against SLAPP Suits) included Grigoris Dimitriadis in its final list for the “SLAPP Politician of the Year” award, following his legal actions against Reporters United, EfSyn, journalist Thanasis Koukas, and others in an attempt to suppress unwanted reports.

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