European rights group slams Greek government over declining freedoms
A new report by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) delivers a stark warning over the state of democracy in Greece, placing the country among European Union members where political freedoms and institutional checks are under serious threat.
The 2024 report paints a troubling picture of democratic backsliding under the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to Liberties, fundamental rights in Greece—including press freedom, freedom of assembly, and institutional transparency—are increasingly being undermined, sparking growing concern among European watchdogs.
Media Freedom Under Pressure
One of the report’s most alarming findings centers on the state of press freedom in Greece.
The report accuses the government of fostering a media environment dominated by a small number of pro-government outlets, supported by state funding distributed with little transparency.
“Media pluralism is severely limited,” the report states, citing growing fears of censorship and lack of protection for investigative journalists. It warns of an atmosphere of intimidation in newsrooms, where journalists face both direct and indirect pressure to align with the government narrative.
Police Violence and Threats to Journalists
The report also highlights repeated instances of excessive police force, particularly during public protests. Basic civil rights, such as freedom of assembly and expression, are reportedly being violated.
Specific cases mentioned include the violent detention of journalist Giorgos Androutsos during a firefighters’ protest in Athens, despite identifying himself as a member of the press. Another journalist, Frixos Drakontidis, was physically assaulted by an unidentified individual while reporting on wildfires in Attica.
“These incidents reflect a broader trend of hostility toward the press and the suppression of dissent,” the report notes.
Concerns Over Surveillance and Institutional Integrity
Liberties further raises red flags over the opaque framework surrounding state surveillance, emphasizing the lack of effective safeguards to protect citizens’ privacy. The report suggests that, despite international scrutiny, Greece has failed to implement meaningful reforms to regulate digital surveillance practices.
In addition, the report criticizes the erosion of institutional independence, pointing to political interference in oversight bodies and weakened accountability mechanisms.
Business Interests and Media Influence
The Greek media landscape is described as being tightly controlled by a handful of wealthy families with close ties to political power and interests in other key sectors of the economy.
State advertising, the report claims, is often channeled disproportionately to outlets favorable to the government, undermining journalistic independence and distorting public discourse.
European Institutions Watching Closely
The report concludes by urging EU institutions to monitor developments in Greece more closely, warning that the country is drifting away from core democratic values. The European Parliament has also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in state advertising and the need to ensure fair and impartial media funding.
A Wake-Up Call for Greek Democracy
While the Greek government has frequently promoted its reform agenda and commitment to democratic principles, the Liberties report suggests a widening gap between rhetoric and reality. With multiple international organizations now sounding the alarm, the pressure is mounting for Athens to address what critics describe as an escalating crisis of democratic governance.
