Marinakis meets with OSCE representative for Media freedom, Braathu

Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis met with the representative of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ambassador Jan Braathu.

During the meeting, various issues concerning the protection of journalism as a profession were addressed.

Marinakis emphasised the advancements made by Greece regarding the rule of law and media freedom. He outlined five initiatives undertaken by the Greek government that have been acknowledged as good practices by the OSCE and featured in its online toolkit. These are the Memorandum of Understanding, the Task Force on the Safety of Journalists, the establishment of the International Centre for the Safety of Journalists in Thessaloniki, the law on the selection of public sector administrations (applicable to Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, ERT, and the Athens–Macedonian News Agency, ANA-MPA), and the signing of a Collective Labour Agreement for journalists employed by public institutions.

He also highlighted the positive remarks in the current year’s European Commission Rule of Law Report on Greece, which records the adoption of legislative and non-legislative measures that enhance transparency in ownership and objectivity in all forms of state aid to media enterprises and strengthen the protection of journalists and other media professionals. Many of the provisions of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) are already being implemented, and the European Commission’s report on the rule of law in Greece has been adopted.

At the same time, Marinakis highlighted that the draft law concerning the modernisation of public television is presently undergoing public consultation, alongside efforts to integrate additional provisions of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) into Greek legislation. He also stressed that the draft law for the final licensing of regional channels has been approved by the Council of Ministers and is being launched, while in the near future a similar procedure will be carried out for radio stations.

Furthermore, mention was made of a new pilot programme aimed at cultivating critical readers. This initiative is being promoted by the General Secretariat of Communication and Information, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The programme aims to foster news literacy in schools, combat fake news, and strengthen critical thinking and literacy.

Jan Braathu congratulated the Greek government on its initiatives, stressing that the organisation would be both helpful and a strong supporter in this process. He further pointed out that the work being done demonstrates the government’s willingness and determination. He emphasised the importance of the Collective Labour Agreement for journalists working in public outlets, which is already in force, and expressed the hope that this example would be followed by the private media to ensure safe working conditions for their journalists.

Braathu noted that Greece has made significant progress in enhancing the safety of journalists through a series of capacity-building and training activities, as well as through legislative steps, for example, measures against SLAPPs, to ensure media freedom. He also encouraged the authorities to continue on this positive path to protect journalists, who are an essential pillar of democracy.

Earlier, Braathu also met with the Secretary-General of Communication and Information Dimitris Kirmikiroglou.