In Greece, journalists convicted of broadcasting “False information likely to arouse public concern or fear or to undermine their confidence in the national economy, the country’s defense capacity or public health” could soon be punished with fines and even jail terms of at least six months. The publisher or owner of the responsible media would also be liable to prison terms and financial penalties.
The Greek Ministry of Justice presented this amendment as part of the reform of the civil code which is due to be voted on in the coming days in Parliament. But the text arouses the indignation of the unions of Greek and European journalists, who call on the government to withdraw it. The Union of Greek Editors (Esiea) points out that “ the amendment does not contain a clear definition of false information. The way the term is defined is ambiguous, and could lead to abusive sanctions against journalists ”. The European mechanism for monitoring press freedom violations in Europe, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), considers that “The sanctions provided for by the bill would undermine press freedom and would have a detrimental effect at a time when independent journalism is already under pressure in Greece”.
“Greek journalists are already frequently threatened with abusive prosecution and prison terms for criminal defamation, Explain Pavol Szalai, Head of the EU-Balkans office of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This amendment would only increase the risk that journalists will be prosecuted and imprisoned. “
” The 4e worst country in the EU for press freedom ”
During the pandemic, similar attempts to criminalize the dissemination of “fake news” were made in Romania and Bulgaria, but the bills were dropped after strong criticism from EU institutions. The only country to have gone all the way is Hungary. “At present, Greece is the 4e most European Union countries in RSF’s World Press Freedom Rankings, behind Malta, Hungary and Bulgaria. She has lost five places since last year », Recalls Pavol Szalai.
Six months ago, Star TV reporter Giorgos Karaivaz, who reported on the mafia and organized crime in Athens, was shot dead outside his home in broad daylight. RSF called on the Greek authorities to do everything in their power to resolve the case quickly, failing to see the investigation succeed. “When journalist Peter R. de Vries was assassinated in the Netherlands, the alleged perpetrators were apprehended the same day and the government quickly took further steps to protect press freedom. This was not the case in Greece ”, deplores Pavol Szalai.
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