Strained Voices: Press Freedom Under Siege in Greece
Human Rights Watch highlights press freedom threats in Greece under Kyriakos Mitsotakis' government, citing lawsuits and phone spyware against journalists. Reporters Without Borders ranks Greece lowest in Europe for press freedom, urging legal reforms and protections for media personnel.
- Country:
- Greece
The state of press freedom in Greece has deteriorated since Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' administration took office in 2019, according to a Human Rights Watch report. Reporters face challenges like phone malware and aggressive lawsuits, with at least 15 journalists encountering legal threats, as outlined in HRW's comprehensive 101-page document.
A Reporters Without Borders index places Greece at the bottom in Europe regarding press freedom. The HRW report criticizes Greek laws that facilitate SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), which target journalists with claims of defamation or EU data protection violations.
HRW's Europe and Central Asia Director, Hugh Williamson, emphasized the stifling environment for critical journalism in Greece. Though the government has dismissed these claims, ongoing issues like revealed spyware in 2022 have kept the issue in the public eye. HRW recommends actions including public media independence, anti-SLAPPs legislation, and journalist protections.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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