The Greek government decided to support the country’s newspapers of nationwide circulation with taxpayers money. A total of 6.7 million euros for 36 newspaper companies, whether big or small, whether they fulfill certain economic or ethical criteria or not. Subsidized are not only newspapers with a variety of news categories but also betting and sports newspapers as well as newspapers addressing fans of football clubs. Included in the list of beneficiaries are also newspapers form the categories: yellow press, scandals and conspiracy theories.
The relevant decision of a generous Christmas present to private businesses was signed on Friday by Finance Minister Christos Staikouras, Deputy Finance Minister Theodoros and Government spokesman (a deputy minister by the Prime Minister) Stelios Petsas..
The ministerial decision stipulates that Greek taxpayers will financially support newspapers for which it has not been ascertained by the competent authorities whether they pay their employees as required by the existing provisions of labor and insurance law.
In the rather illogical logic of the ministers, the funding will be granted to newspapers not proportionally to the number of employees or of circulation.
For example, the amount of 200,000 euros will be granted whether the newspapers have over 400 employees or just 3 or even a single one!
The newspaper with one employee that receives 200,000 is a leftist newspaper!
Some newspaper with 4 employees will receive 36,000 euros.
Fair enough, the 200,000-euros-cheque will be given to newspapers independently of their political orientation, whether pro or contra the conservative government of New Democracy.
Subsidized are also certain newspapers that do not meet the criteria set by Article 4 of the ministerial decision. Article 4 explicitly states that newspapers are not entitled to a grant if they express prejudice against human dignity, promote discrimination on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
And there is indeed one such newspaper with 13 employees that will receive the state funding of 200,000 euros.
The funding was introduced by SYRIZa in 2016, the New Democracy ministers reportedly modified the strict criteria of eligibility.
UPDATE: After the outcry on social media, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said late on Saturday that the ministerial decision is being withdrawn and called on political parties for a meeting next week to submit their ideas form improvement.
PS now we know why the total amount of “Christmas” aid for the needy was cut to the minimum possible and the new criteria kicked thousands of people out of the program of 700 euros per family, one-off payment.
