Two legal cases highlight on-going intimidation of the press; Rumi scholar acquitted of defamation charges
(GHM/IFEX) – The following is a GHM press release: Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) appeals to the international community – and especially those organizations defending freedom of expression – to protest to Greek authorities the continuing prosecution of journalists in that country. Two additional cases in early 2006 highlight the intimidation through prosecution used to threaten […]
Journalist faces defamation charges; Rumi scholar appeals defamation sentence
(GHM/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a GHM press release: Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) appeals to the international community and especially the organizations defending freedom of expression and/or human rights defenders to protest to Greek authorities for the continuing prosecution of journalists and human rights defenders in Greece. Two cases in early […]
Two journalists assaulted
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate: Vienna, 19 December 2005 – The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is […]
National Broadcasting Council shuts down radio station over satire programme
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 3 November 2005 IFJ media release: IFJ Calls for Greece to Reinstate Banned Radio After Satire Row Leads to “Extreme Censorship” The International Federation of Journalists and its European group, the European Federation of Journalists, today called on regulators in Greece to lift a closure order on a radio […]
“Presstime” newspaper journalists charged after article criticising defence minister
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Condemns “Targeted Political Intimidation” of Greek Newspaper The International Federation of Journalists and its regional organisation the European Federation of Journalists today condemned the authorities over a “targeted political” attack on an independent newspaper in Greece. On 26 October, Greek Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos filed […]
Another sports journalist assaulted
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a letter by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate: H.E. Jorgos Voulgarakis Minister of Public Order Athens, Greece Fax: +30 210 691 2661, 692 0487, 692 9764 H.E. Jorgos Orfanos Deputy Minister of Culture (Responsible for Sports) Athens, Greece Fax: +30 210 820 1373, 324 6085, […]
Newspaper censors article on Macedonian minority and language
(GHM/IFEX) – GHM condemns the censorship by the Greek daily newspaper “Makedonia” of an article on the banned Macedonian language in Greece that was to be published on 14 August 2005, in the regular Sunday column of writer Thanasis Triaridis. The article, entitled “A short note on a banned language”, summarised the history and the […]
Greek television stations censor Srebrenica atrocities video
(GHM/IFEX) – GHM condemns the partial censorship by Greek television stations of a Srebrenica atrocities video, shown repeatedly on 2 and 3 June 2005. The video’s opening scene, which features a Serbian Orthodox priest blessing paramilitaries who are later seen committing war crimes against Bosnian Muslims, was cut by all Greek television stations that aired […]
Television crew harassed while filming police action
(GHM/IFEX) – The following is a GHM press release: Topic: Harassment and brief arrest of Greek TV crew filming police abuse Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) condemns the harassment and brief arrest by Hellenic Police (ELAS) of members of an Alpha TV crew, on 10 June 2005, while they were filming abusive police controls of young […]
CORRECTION: Greek authorities refuse to issue work permits to three Macedonian journalists
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a correction by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate: Three journalists from Macedonian (Republic of Macedonia – FYROM) A1 TV station were denied work permits for TV crews by the Greek authorities and not visas, as stated in the 6 June 2005 SEEMO press release for […]
Greek authorities refuse to issue visas to three Macedonian journalists
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate: Vienna, 6 June 2005 The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is alarmed […]
Curator of Athens art exhibition on trial for painting “insulting the Orthodox Church”
(GHM/IFEX) – The following is a 29 May 2005 GHM press release: Topic: Athens “Cultural Olympiad” art exhibition curator on trial for painting “insulting the Orthodox Church” Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) condemns the forthcoming 3 June 2005 trial, at the First Single-Member Misdemeanors Court of Athens, of Christos Joachimides, curator of “Outlook,” Greece’s most important […]
Journalist faces criminal charges over satirical article published in 2001
(GHM/IFEX) – The following is a GHM press release: Topic: Journalist to be tried for April Fool’s Day article of four years ago Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) condemns the forthcoming 23 June 2005 trial, at the three-member Misdemeanors Court of Mytilini, of journalist Nikos Manavis for “dissemination of false information or rumors that may cause […]
Sports journalist attacked in Athens
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed dismay over the violent attack on sports journalist Kostas Nikolakopoulos, reportedly by football hooligans. The attack took place just after he finished broadcasting on Sport FM radio station in Athens on 7 May 2005. Four hooded men armed with iron bars and knuckledusters brutally beat Nikolakopoulos, aged 41, in front […]
Austrian author acquitted on appeal in blasphemy case
(IPA/WiPC/IFEX) – The following is a 20 April 2005 joint IPA – WiPC press release: Publishers, writers welcome acquittal on appeal of author in Greek blasphemy case On 13 April 2005, in a famous blasphemy case, the Court of Appeal of Athens, reversing the judgment of the Court of First Instance, acquitted the author of […]
Austrian author receives suspended six-month prison sentence
WiPC/IPA/IFEX) – The following is a joint WiPC, IPA and International Booksellers Federation (IBF) appeal to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis: Kostas Karamanlis Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Maximos Mansion (“Megaro Maximou”) 19, Herodou Attikou str GR-106 74 Athens 02 February 2005 Your Excellency, The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN, the International Publishers’ […]