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Messages of Solidarity
The Hellenic Authors’ Society issued today the following terse statement (here in translation) regarding the elimination of the Greek public broadcaster ERT:
“A public, independent, open to different views, effective, and financially accountable radio-television broadcaster is a democratic demand and a constant objective intended to benefit Greek citizens, Hellenism, and culture in general, bearers of which today are authors and other creators. The execution of a patient is not a model therapy.”
Κοδριγκτώνος 8, 112 57 Αθήνα Τηλέφωνο 210 823 1890 Facsimile 210 823 2543
www.dedalus.gr
E-mail grwrisoc@otenet.gr
Αθήνα, 12/6/2013
ΑΠ: 1.403
Ανακοίνωση της Εταιρείας Συγγραφέων
για το κλείσιμο της ΕΡΤ
Μια δημόσια, ανεξάρτητη, ανοιχτή σε διαφορετικές απόψεις, αποδοτική και χωρίς ανεξέλεγκτες δαπάνες ραδιο-τηλεόραση αποτελεί δημοκρατικό αίτημα και σταθερή επιδίωξη προς όφελος των Ελλήνων πολιτών, του Ελληνισμού και του πολιτισμού γενικότερα, φορείς του οποίου σήμερα είναι οι συγγραφείς και άλλοι δημιουργοί. Η εκτέλεση ενός ασθενούς δεν αποτελεί πρότυπο θεραπείας.
Το Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο
της Εταιρείας Συγγραφέων
Message from the Greek Journalist Union
June 12 2013
The decision to close down the National Broadcaster is detrimental to democracy
In direct violation of the Constitution, the Greek government, through yet another legislative act, has decided to indefinitely shut down the National Television and Radio Broadcaster, a decision detrimental to democracy and the rule of law.
The Greek government has decided to abandon the fundamental right of access to information of the Greek people solely in the hands of private media along with its vested interests, whose operation is governed by non-transparent procedures, while they do not still avail of an official license. The Hellenic Broadcasting Operation [ERT], albeit the only broadcaster in lawful operation is closed down while its frequencies are abandoned. The Greek citizens will be deprived of the services provided to the remotest Greek village, as well as to the diaspora communities abroad by the National Broadcaster.
The Greek Press Attaches Association [ENAT] would like to formally complain against the actions of the Deputy Minister attached to the Prime Minister & Government Spokesperson, Simos Kedikoglou, the Secretary General of Information and Communication, Andreas Katsaniotis and the Secretary General of Mass Media, Ioannis Panagiotopoulos, for their repeated support and fostering of clientelism and within the framework of their powers. They have systematically undermined not only the National Broadcaster’s public mission, but also the potential for its restructuring, opting instead for its sudden and unexpected closure.
The Greek Press Attaches Association would also like to point out that, through similar practices, the aforementioned officials have repeatedly depreciated and undermined the role and mission of the Press and Communication Offices abroad.
The Greek Press Attaches Association would like to express its full support to the 2.656 people fired as well as to all those who fight for state-owned media, their improvement and the strengthening of their democratic supervision and accountability.
Within this framework, the Greek Press Attaches Association pledges to support a series of protests, starting with its participation in tomorrow’s 24-hour strike called by the public and private sector unions [ADEDY-GSEE].
http://icp-forum.gr/wp/?p=2996
Η απόφαση για το κλείσιμο της ΕΡT είναι επικίνδυνη για τη δημοκρατία
Η κυβέρνηση παραβιάζοντας κατάφωρα το Σύνταγμα, με μια ακόμα Πράξη Νομοθετικού Περιεχομένου, αποφάσισε την παύση λειτουργίας της Δημόσιας Ραδιοτηλεόρασης για αόριστο χρονικό διάστημα. Η απόφαση της κυβέρνησης είναι επικίνδυνη για τη δημοκρατία, το κράτος δικαίου και τα δημόσια αγαθά.
Η κυβέρνηση αποφάσισε να εκχωρήσει την ενημέρωση του ελληνικού λαού αποκλειστικά στα χέρια ιδιωτικών ΜΜΕ – διαπλεκόμενων συμφερόντων που λειτουργούν με αδιαφάνεια και χωρίς καν νόμιμη άδεια. Η ΕΡΤ, ο μόνος ρ/τ φορέας που λειτουργεί νόμιμα κλείνει και οι συχνότητές της εγκαταλείπονται. Οι Έλληνες πολίτες στερούνται των υπηρεσιών που προσέφερε η Δημόσια Ραδιοτηλεόραση και στο πιο απομακρυσμένο χωριό της Ελλάδας αλλά και εκτός των συνόρων.
Η Ένωση Ακολούθων Τύπου καταγγέλλει τον Υφυπουργό παρά τω Πρωθυπουργό Σίμο Κεδίκογλου και τους Γενικούς Γραμματείς Μέσων Ενημέρωσης Γιάννη Παναγιωτόπουλο, και Ενημέρωσης Ανδρέα Κατσανιώτη για τη συστηματική από μέρους τους καλλιέργεια πελατειακών πρακτικών στους τομείς αρμοδιότητάς τους. Υπονόμευσαν τη δημόσια αποστολή της ΕΡΤ και τις δυνατότητες επωφελούς για το δημόσιο συμφέρον αναδιοργάνωσής της, επιλέγοντας εν τέλει αιφνιδιαστικά την παύση της λειτουργίας της.
Η Ένωση Ακολούθων Τύπου τονίζει ότι οι κκ. Κεδίκογλου, Παναγιωτόπουλος, Κατσανιώτης κινούνται στην ίδια κατεύθυνση συστηματικής απαξίωσης και υπονόμευσης κάθε δυνατότητας προσφοράς χρησίμου έργου σε ό,τι αφορά στα Γραφεία Τύπου Εξωτερικού.
Η Ένωση Ακολούθων Τύπου συμπαρίσταται στους 2.656 απολυμένους της ΕΡΤ και συντάσσεται με όσες δυνάμεις υπερασπίζονται τους δημόσιους φορείς ενημέρωσης, την βελτίωσή τους, την ενίσχυση του δημοκρατικού ελέγχου και λογοδοσίας τους, και την ταυτόχρονη απομάκρυνσή τους από τα ισχύοντα πελατειακά πρότυπα. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό η ΕΝΑΤ ξεκινά μία σειρά κινητοποιήσεων, με πρώτη τη συμμετοχή της στην αυριανή 24ωρη απεργία της ΓΣΕΕ και τηςΑΔΕΔΥ.
http://icp-forum.gr/wp/?p=2988
From: National Union of Journalists
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:01 PM
Subject: NUJ stands up for journalism in Greece
|
The union took part in the international condemnation of the ERT closure announcement on Wednesday 12 June and sends solidarity messages to colleagues on strike in Greece today. The Greek government is trying to shut down the public broadcasting organisation's three TV stations, radio and regional radio stations, satellite emissions and internet portal with the sacking of all staff. The Greek trade unions have responded by organising a general strike in support of journalism and media workers today. ERT journalists continued to resist the closure and are broadcasting live from the occupied studios in Athens. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: "The shocking announcement on Tuesday of 2,700 job cuts and the closure of public broadcaster ERT has been roundly condemned, this immediate response has been inspiring to us. "The break down of the public media in Greece is a barbaric act that has been inflicted on journalists and media workers as part of an increasingly vicious austerity programme. "We are not prepared to pay for the economic crisis we did not create. The decision of the state to close down ERT must be reversed. It is an appalling attack on the media and on Greek democracy. "Our unity as journalists and media workers in solidarity gives us strength. The NUJ in the UK and Ireland stands up for journalists and offers support and assistance to colleagues - we reject attempts to divide us from our humanity and we are united to stand up for journalism." NUJ Ireland support: The NUJ Ireland broadcasting branch will hold a solidarity protest on Thursday 13 June at 18.30 outside the Greek Embassy on Pembroke Street in Dublin, Ireland. Solidarity with ERT journalists Gerry Curran, Cathaoirleach of the NUJ Irish Executive Council will travel to Athens on Thursday to meet with trade unionists and broadcasters and express support from the NUJ. Gerry Curran, Cathaoirleach of the NUJ IEC, said: "The NUJ offers solidarity and support with a visit to ERT workers - the Greek government closed down the station with only a few hours notice with 2,700 workers let go. I am bringing the messages of support from the 3,000 unionised NUJ journalists in Ireland. "This is an attack on independent thought and on professional fact gathering. It is an attack on news - an attack on the essence of democracy and a stealing of the nourishment our minds need - especially in times of hardship". NUJ support in London: David Campanale, chair of the BBC London branch, said: "Broadcast journalists in the National Union of Journalists (NUJ UK) at the BBC in London send our solidarity and support to all our colleagues at ERT and to the Greek public staging protests in Athens against the closure. We stand with them in opposition to the Greek government's act of cultural vandalism. "Public service broadcasters, independent from both the government and the commercial imperative are the lifeblood of free and open societies. The decision to close ERT should have been subject to democratic debate and decision-making in parliament - not through a shabby deal between two government ministers. It must be reversed." London protest: The NUJ supported the solidarity protest in London on Wednesday 12 June outside the Greek embassy.
In a message to the journalists and media workers assembled at ERT on the night of the closure announcement (Tuesday 11 June), Jim Boumelha, president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), said: "We are angry that you, your families and children, should be made to pay for a crisis that is not of your making. For many years, this crisis, caused by the greed and incompetence of bankers, businesses and politicians, have put at risk your standard of living, your wages and your pensions. Now it has taken away your livelihood. "What happened to you breaks our hearts, it makes us angry but most of all makes us determined to fight alongside you. The message of the journalists of the world to your politicians and your bosses is loud and clear - we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to stop this madness - and we will do everything within our power to get this decision reversed." Messages of support can be emailed to campaigns@nuj.org.uk |
De: "europe list" <europe.list@ifj.org>
À: "europe list" <europe.list@list.ifj.org>
Envoyé: 12/06/13
Objet: [Europe.list] IFJ/EFJ Call for Greek Government to Revoke Closure of Public Broadcaster
Press Release
12.06.13
IFJ/EFJ Call for Greek Government to Revoke Closure of Public Broadcaster
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and their Greek affiliates, the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists? Union (PFJU), the Journalists? Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (JUADN), the Journalists? Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers (ESIEMTH) and the Periodical and Electronic Press Union (PEPU), have called on the Greek government to immediately revoke their unprecedented decision to close down its public broadcasting station ERT.
Yesterday the Greek government announced that it will shut down the public broadcasting organisation?s three TV stations, radio and regional radio stations, satellite emissions and internet portal and will fire a staff of approximately 2,700 people, adding that it will re-open the organisation on a smaller scale and with fewer employees.
The government spokesperson, who is also the deputy minister in charge of media issues and is essentially the government official in charge of ERT, issued a statement where he asserted a ?lack of transparency? as the reason for the public broadcaster?s closure. PFJU has called on the private media to go on rolling 24-hour strikes starting immediately.
In a message to the journalists and media workers assembled at ERT last night, IFJ President, Jim Boumelha, said: "We are angry that you, your families and children, should be made to pay for a crisis that is not of your making. For many years, this crisis, caused by the greed and incompetence of bankers, businesses and politicians, have put at risk your standard of living, your wages and your pensions. Now it has taken away your livelihood.
"What happened to you breaks our hearts, it makes us angry but most of all makes us determined to fight alongside you. The message of the journalists of the world to your politicians and your bosses is loud and clear -- we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to stop this madness. and we will do everything within our power to get this decision reversed."
EFJ President, Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, said: "These plans are simply absurd. It will be a major blow to democracy, to media pluralism and to journalism as a public good in Greece, thus depriving citizens from their right to honest, level-headed and unbiased information. But it will also mean the loss of many journalists' jobs across the country.
?Any plans to cut jobs at ERT and privatize the public media in Greece are unacceptable. Public regional stations cannot be substituted by any corporate interest.
?The EFJ reminds the Greek government that the High Level Group on media, set up by the European Commission, recommends that 'there should be a provision of state funding for media which are essential for pluralism."
The IFJ/EFJ have backed the calls from unions for the plans to be abolished and called for collaboration and discussion between the parties involved. They are calling on the government to immediately abandon all plans to abolish public broadcasting and instead collaborate with the institutional bodies of the journalism community in order to strengthen information as a public good.
They are also calling on all parliamentarians to coordinate their actions in order to avert any plans that harm the democratic rights of the communities who voted for them.
EFJ delegates, meeting in Cyprus to promote diversity in the media, issued a statement (LINK) to express their ?indignation and shock of the brutal closure of the public broadcasting service in Greece?. The statement is attached for information.
The IFJ/EFJ are calling on member unions to send messages of support to: info@poesy.gr, info@esiemth.gr, info@esiea.gr, dralli@esiea.gr
The Executive Boards of PFJU and the other unions, POSPERT and POEPTYM, decided on nonstop striking mobilization of journalists, technicians and staff employees in all public and private broadcasting media by declaring 24 hour repetitive strikes. The strike in all private broadcasting media, as well as public news agency APE-MPE and the General Directorate of Information, will start at 6am on 12th June 2013. The strike on print media, newspapers and magazines will start at 6am on Thursday 13 June 2013.
A strike tomorrow has been announced by the General Confederation of Greek Workers. There will also be a major protest held outside the premises of ERT tomorrow at 11.00 (GR time ? 12.00 BRU time).
For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 17
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries
*****************************************************************
La Libre.be
Vive ERT,au nom de la liberté démocratique !
Daniel Salvatore Schiffer Publié le lundi 24 juin 2013 à 05h38 - Mis à jour le lundi 24 juin 2013 à 17h57
Opinions La Grèce, berceau culturel de la civilisation occidentale, pays qui inventa l’admirable notion de "démocratie", vit aujourd’hui - avec l’illégitime et brutale fermeture de sa radio-télévision publique (ERT) - une des périodes les plus sombres de son histoire moderne et contemporaine.
Lettre ouverte
Monsieur le Premier Ministre du Gouvernement Grec, Antonis Samaras,
Les intellectuels et artistes d’Europe vous adressent cet appel solennel, au nom de la liberté démocratique, à la réouverture immédiate et inconditionnelle de la radio-télévision publique grecque, ERT.
La Grèce, berceau culturel de la civilisation occidentale, pays qui inventa l’admirable notion de "démocratie" et où naquit le mot même d’Europe, vit aujourd’hui - avec l’illégitime et brutale fermeture de sa radio-télévision publique (ERT) - une des périodes les plus sombres de son histoire moderne et contemporaine.
Le peuple grec, révolté par cette décision pour le moins arbitraire, aussi injuste qu’injustifiable, ne s’y est d’ailleurs pas trompé, lui qui se trouve désormais coupé, sans plus de connexion télévisuelle ni radiophonique, de sa diaspora : cet acte d’une rare violence politique, en tout point contraire aux principes mêmes de la démocratie, rappelle, de sinistre mémoire, la dictature, entre les années 1967 et 1974, des colonels.
Et encore : même celle-ci, cette junte militaire qui ne se souciait pourtant que fort peu du bien-être de ces concitoyens qu’elle commandait alors d’une impitoyable main de fer, n’osa pousser son autoritarisme jusque-là.
De cette très regrettable décision, aussi funeste dans son fond qu’intolérable dans sa forme, vous en êtes, Monsieur le Premier Ministre, le véritable responsable. Cet acte, qui ne vous honore guère, est la négation même - le paradoxe s’avère énorme, vous en conviendrez aisément - du beau nom que désigne votre parti : "Nouvelle Démocratie", lequel, votre peuple n’ayant jamais été consulté sur cette question (pas plus d’ailleurs que vos alliés politiques), n’a jamais aussi mal porté son titre. Il relève même, en l’occurrence, d’une abusive et très malhonnête arnaque sémantique.
Pis : il équivaut à une trahison politique et linguistique tout à la fois, en totale opposition, y compris sur le plan moral, avec le sens profond du concept de "démocratie", ce principe que les humanistes que nous sommes souhaiteraient universel.
Ainsi est-ce notre solidarité la plus sincère et totale que nous exprimons aujourd’hui au peuple grec, de plus en plus douloureusement malmené, à force d’absurdes et contre-productives politiques d’austérité ces temps-ci.
Vos très expéditives et sommaires méthodes, inacceptables à tous points de vue, ne font, en outre, qu’aggraver le problème plutôt que de le résoudre, au niveau social, dans la mesure où, en plus de ne point vous soucier de la volonté populaire, vous envoyez ainsi illégalement, sans préavis ni ménagement, près de trois mille personnes aussi désarmées qu’innocentes, lesquelles n’ont certes pas à payer pour les erreurs de leur hiérarchie professionnelle (que les gouvernements grecs du passé ont eux-mêmes contribué, suprême hypocrisie, à mettre à la tête de cette institution), au chômage.
Même votre Conseil d’Etat vous a désavoué, par décision de justice, en ordonnant la réouverture immédiate de cette radio-télévision que vous avez ainsi cru pouvoir impunément liquider.
Il est donc urgent, toutes affaires cessantes, que vous rouvriez définitivement, Monsieur le Premier Ministre, la radio-télévision publique grecque : celle-ci ne vous appartient pas, ni à vous ni à votre parti, pas plus, d’ailleurs, qu’au gouvernement que vous présidez, à l’évidence, si mal.
Elle est, comme son nom l’indique, un bien public, souverain, commun et inaliénable à la fois. Ne spoliez donc pas davantage encore, par cette inique et incompréhensible suppression d’une consistante partie de l’espace public, le peuple grec, que les divers représentants de votre caste nationale n’ont que trop volé déjà ! Et, surtout, ne bâillonnez pas ainsi l’intangible liberté d’expression, sans laquelle il n’est point de démocratie qui vaille ni de civilisation qui tienne !
Soyez donc digne, Monsieur le Premier Ministre, du glorieux passé de votre pays, la Grèce, et de ces grands hommes - de Homère à Aristote, en passant par Hérodote, Hésiode, Pythagore, Epicure, Socrate, Platon, Hippocrate, Sophocle ou Eschyle - qui ont fait son immortelle histoire, tant sur le plan philosophique que scientifique ou artistique : cette Histoire sans laquelle l’Europe elle-même, et donc l’Union européenne en tant que telle, n’existerait pas aujourd’hui. Vive ERT !
Les signataires de cette lettre ouverte: Soisic Belin, journaliste, attachée de presse aux Editions Albin Michel (Paris). Hélène Bravin, essayiste, journaliste (Paris). Marc Bressant, écrivain, Grand Prix du Roman de l’Académie française. Jacques De Decker, écrivain, secrétaire perpétuel de l’Académie royale de Langue et de Littérature françaises de Belgique. Nadine Dewit, artiste-peintre, Académie royale des Beaux-Arts de Liège (Belgique). Marek Halter, écrivain (Paris). Jean Jauniaux, écrivain, chroniqueur littéraire (Bruxelles). Jean-Marie Klinkenberg, linguiste, membre de l’Académie royale de Belgique. Giorgio Marconi, fondateur du "Studio Marconi", galerie d’art à Milan (Italie). Daniel Mesguich, comédien, directeur du Conservatoire national supérieur d’Art dramatique (Paris). Gilles Perrault, écrivain, journaliste (Paris). Michelle Perrot, historienne, professeur émérite des universités (Paris). Patrick Roegiers, écrivain (Paris). Daniel Salvatore Schiffer, philosophe, écrivain, éditorialiste (Paris-Bruxelles-Luxembourg). Annie Sugier, présidente de la Ligue du Droit international des Femmes, association créée par Simone de Beauvoir (Paris). Jeanie Toschi Marazzani Visconti, essayiste, journaliste, éditorialiste (Milan, Italie). Elisabeth Weissman, essayiste, journaliste (Paris).
******************************************************************
Press release by European Music Council
24. June 2013
The European Music Council condemns the closing of the Greek public broadcasting – including the three Music Ensembles of the Greek Radio Television (ERT)
The European Music Council (EMC), regional group of the International Music Council (IMC), is the umbrella organisation for musical life in Europe. It is a platform for National Music Councils and organisations involved in various fields of music from many European countries; the 76 members have their seat in 29 European countries.
The EMC supports EBU (European Broadcasting Union) President Philippot’s letter to the Greek Prime Minister, Antonio Samaras, in which he states:
“The existence of public service media and their independence from Government lie at the heart of democratic societies, and therefore any far-reaching changes to the public media system should only be decided after an open and inclusive democratic debate in Parliament – and not through a simple agreement between two Government Ministers.”
The closing down of ERT public broadcasting also affects the ERT music ensembles, such as the National Symphony Orchestra, the Contemporary Music Ensemble and Choir.
Public broadcasting music ensembles play a decisive role in the public music life of a country and contribute to musical diversity in Greece and Europe. In line with the 5 music rights of the International Music Council, the EMC would like to stress the importance of:
- the right for all children and adults to express themselves musically in full freedom;
- the right for musical artists to develop their artistry and communicate through all media, with appropriate facilities at their disposal;
- the right for musical artists to obtain fair recognition and remuneration for their work.
While in times of crisis everything must be done to secure budgets and avoid overspending, the ad hoc and undemocratic way in which the ERT was closed down is inacceptable. The EMC therefore strongly supports the Greek court’s ruling to restore the national broadcaster to air on Monday, 17 June.
The EMC also welcomes the European Parliament’s Culture Committee’s criticism of the Greek government’s decision to close the Greek public broadcaster.
The closing of the ERT ensembles is a damage to the sustainable musical structures in Greece. The EMC will continue to follow the developments of ERT and in particular its ensembles, and appeals to decision makers to restore the ensembles so that they can continue their professional and successful work.
This statement is also endorsed by the Executive Board of the International Music Council.
The European Music Council contributes to a better mutual understanding among peoples and their different cultures and to the right for all musical cultures to coexist. It acknowledges the significant role that music and culture play for the political and societal development of a peaceful and integrative Europe. Therefore it advocates on local, national and European level for an appropriate framework for music, music professionals and access to music. The EMC provides exceptional value to its membership by building knowledge, creating networking opportunities, supporting and enhancing the visibility of initiatives that help sustain people’s participation in music and cultural life.
EMC – European Music Council
Haus der Kultur
Weberstraße 59a
53113 Bonn
Germany
Tel +49 228 96699-64
Fax +49 228 966996-65
info@emc-imc.org
www.emc-imc.org
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