04. 05. 2014

STATE TELEVISION IN GREECE IS OPERATIONAL AGAIN

Athens, 4.5.2014 (Tanjug) - In Greece the new state TV station NERIT started broadcasting today, after ERT television was shut down last June as part of draconian budget cuts.

The new TV station began operating quietly, unlike the abolition of the previous station which shocked the nation. Television ERT was closed down after more than 60 years, and over 2,600 people were left jobless.

All three channels of the public broadcaster ERT were shut down abruptly on June 11, by the decision of the Antonis Samaras government, AFP reported.

After the closure, ERT has become an alternative and oppositional media outlet, and the program was broadcast via a private station transmitter.

The new Greek radio, internet, and television (NERIT) began its broadcast with the news program presented by Andriana Paraskevopulo, a familiar ERT personality.

Athens suddenly closed down ERT in order to obtain access to EU and IMF funds. Its closure almost led to the fall of the Samaras coalition government after an ally left the coalition over the closure of the state television station.

A temporary television station DT began working with a reduced capacity as of mid-July, and much of the staff is now employed by NERIT.

Greek newspaper "To Vima" carried an editorial by prominent journalist Dimitris Galanis calling the ERT closure hasty and a wrong move.

The Association of Journalists of Greece said that the government still owes money to former ERT employees.

Greece has been in a recession for the past six years, but it is expected that the economy will begin to grow this year.