International media started to report lately about that what Greeks have been aware of for decades: about the interplay between politics, big businessmen and powerful media owners. Now Reuters picks up the issue and blaming these unholy relations as responsible for the country’s economic crisis. And not only. Reuters considers these relations as responsible for the fact that Greece cannot proceed to necessary reforms.
On the basis of the “emergency property tax” that was imposed for the many but exempted the few, Reuters comments:
“To many observers the episode illustrates the interplay between politics, big business and powerful media owners. The interwoven interests of these sectors, though not necessarily illegal or improper, are seen as an obstacle to Greece’s attempts to rescue its economy. They are, say critics, partly to blame for the current crisis and for hindering reform.”
Leading media owners contacted by Reuters denied exerting any improper influence or seeking favors, or did not respond to questions.
But given the international impact of Greece’s crisis, concerns now extend beyond the country.
Troika source: “The system is extremely incestuous. The vested interests are resisting reforms needed to make the economy competitive.” Troika source.
Criticism comes also from opposition party leaders:
Alexis Tsipras, SYRIZA-leader/left-wing: “In Greece the real power is with the owners of banks, the members of the corrupt political system and the corrupt mass media. This is the triangle of sin.”
Panos Kamenos, Independent Greeks-leader/right-wing: “The Greek media is under the control of people who depend on the state. The media control the state and the state controls the media. It’s a picture of mutual blackmail.”
Reuters stuns about the big number of media in Greece: In 2009 the country had 39 national daily newspapers, 23 national Sunday papers and 14 national weekly papers, according to an earlier EU study of media. Per capita, Greece has far more national newspaper titles than, say, Germany or the UK. The country also has nine national TV stations, six of them privately owned, and numerous private radio stations.
A 2006 cable from the U.S. Embassy in Athens, obtained by Wikileaks, noted: “How can all these media outlets operate profitably? They don’t. They are subsidized by their owners who, while they would welcome any income from media sales, use the media primarily to exercise political and economic influence.”
Stressing the importance of powerful families owing media and businesses that win state contracts, Reuters reports also about journalists been hired by private media companies but also work for press offices of ministries or state organizations.
Read the very interesting Reuters story here.
PS Hoping in next Reuters report to read about how and why ministries and state enterprises have been supporting newspapers with very low circulationa through expensive advertisement lol
