OSCE Media Freedom Representative discussed with local counterparts challenges and steps forward in Greek media freedom situation

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro during her official visit to Greece from 25 to 26 January where she met amongst others with Member of Parliament, and member of the OSCE PA Hellenic delegation, Dimitris Markopolous. (OSCE) Photo details

VIENNA, 1 February 2023 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, made an official visit to Greece from 25 to 26 January 2023. She met with several counterparts, including Secretary General for Communication and Information Dimitris Galamatis, Adviser to the Prime Minister Konstantinos Koutras, Member of Parliament Dimitris Markopolous, President of the Journalists' Union of the Athens Daily Newspapers Maria Antoniadou, as well as journalists from the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation ERT and representatives of the media community.

Ribeiro and her counterparts discussed current challenges to media freedom in Greece, and specifically the issue of surveillance of journalists, such as spyware, which has a negative impact on the work of individual journalists and the overall media landscape. Ribeiro highlighted the 2018 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on the Safety of Journalists where OSCE participating States committed to addressing the impact of unlawful and arbitrary surveillance of journalists and its undermining of their right to freedom of expression and right to be free from unlawful and arbitrary interference of their privacy.

"The use of wiretapping software is very concerning. It endangers the principle that journalists must be able to work without fear for their own safety and to protect their sources so they can carry out their important democratic function. I encouraged the authorities to ensure a swift and thorough investigation into the issue of spyware surveillance of media workers, as this constitutes a major interference with fundamental rights," Ribeiro said.

Related to safety of journalists, the Representative stressed the need to make progress on investigating the murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, and to hold all those responsible to account.

Several government counterparts mentioned recent steps to improve the media freedom situation in the country. These included establishing a task force and the launching of a training centre on safety of journalists; support for the costs of paper, distribution of newspapers, and insurance for journalists; and a recent amendment of Article 191 of the Criminal Code regarding "false information".

The Representative also reiterated her Office's readiness to continue providing necessary assistance to the Greek authorities in order to promote an environment that is conducive to media freedom and is in line with international standards and OSCE commitments.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.