Asimakopoulou: “Greece is a model in terms of press freedom”

Anna Michel Asimakopoulou, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade and Member of the European Parliament for the New Democracy and the European People’s Party in her speech in the parliament, emphasized that Greece will continue to be an example to be imitated and will not tolerate further slander.

The MEP, after referring to the false allegations about the freedom of the press in Greece, which are formulated in a relevant investigation, which are, as she said, politically motivated, called on the Plenary body to examine the real facts.

Ms. Asimakopoulou, referring to the full harmonization of Greece’s policy on the free press, with the recommendations of the European Commission, underlined some of the initiatives of the Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, such as strengthening the legislative toolkit for the protection of journalists, the creation of a special Task Force and the Register of Electronic Media Companies, as well as financial support to local media. In addition, she pointed out that Greece will be a pioneer in the European Act for Freedom of the Media.

The following is the  text of the speech in the Plenary Session of the European Parliament:

“Thank you, Mr President – ladies and gentlemen,

I am before you today, deeply offended and sincerely outraged by the slanderous allegations about the lack of freedom of the press in Greece.

And I ask, instead of listening to those politically motivated accusations, which are fuelled by reports claiming that the press enjoys more freedom in countries like Burkina Faso and Chad where there are military juntas, listen to the facts.

And the reality is that Greek politics for free press is fully in line with the recommendations of the European Commission.

The Mitsotakis government has strengthened our legislative toolkit for the protection of journalists, creates a special Task Force and the Register of Electronic Media Companies. Provides financial support to local media. So we will not tolerate such slander.

Greece will be a pioneer in European Act on Freedom of the Media.

And Greece, the cradle of democracy, in everything that has to do with freedom of the press, as always, will be an example to be imitated.

Thank you.”

As it will be remembered, in the report of Reporters Without Borders, published in May 2022, Greece was ranked 108th among 180 countries in terms of Press Freedom, down 38 places.

Norway remained at the top of the World Press Freedom Index, while Greece (108th) placed last in Europe, beating Bulgaria (91st), which was stable in last place among European countries.