Highest Greek Court Endorses Public Service Media

Highest Greek Court Endorses Public Service Media

GENEVA, June 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) welcomes the confirmation by Greece's highest
court - the Council of State - that public service broadcasting in Greece must be put back
on air.



(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130613/621657 )




The ruling reinforces the EBU's belief that every day without a public service
broadcaster is a day of weakened democracy.



The EBU urges all stakeholders to respect the Court decision and to cooperate
constructively in its implementation.



EBU President, Jean-Paul Philippot said: "we are impressed by reports that the
Government now intends to put a temporary public service broadcasting system in place
within a matter of days - hiring a substantial number of temporary staff. This will be a
huge task. Therefore we appreciate that the Court will oversee the Government's compliance
with the order."



Mr Philippot continued: "Even an interim body needs governance that ensures
independence - management selected according to agreed procedures, and staff appointed on
merit and not by patronage. And even an interim channel needs to meet public expectation
by respecting the principles of pluralistic information, and a public sphere for debate,
in line with the Core Public Service Media Values
[http://www3.ebu.ch/cms/en/knowledge/psm_values ]. Now is the time to lay the foundations
of the future remit, funding and governance of a sustainable public service broadcaster
with integrity."



The EBU recognises the importance of change. "All public service media organisations
need to increase their efficiency and adapt to evolving financial, technological and
political realities and public expectations," Mr Philippot said. "The public's
relationship with PSM is changing: so, too, must the broadcaster be ready to adapt."



The EBU stands ready to lend its expertise during the transitional phase and even
more, in during the establishment of the permanent public service broadcaster in Greece.



Notes to editors




- ERT was not financed from the government budget
- ERT was funded mainly by a modest licence fee (4.25 Euros per month) paid
directly by citizens, and advertising
- ERT ended 2012 with a 50m Euro surplus



For further information, please contact:
Michelle Roverelli
Head of Communications
T +41(0)22-717-2204
M +41(0)79-647-1724
roverelli@ebu.ch




Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130613/621657


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130613/621657
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
European Broadcasting Union (EBU)


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