The Liberties Media Freedom Report 2025 has found that there are stark threats to media freedom in Greece and across the EU.
A central point of concern remains the allocation of state advertising funds. Watchdog organizations and journalists continue to report that the process lacks transparency and often favors media outlets sympathetic to the government. This selective distribution of public resources reinforces a broader pattern of political interference in the media.
The country’s public service media (PSM), particularly the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), have also come under fire for their vulnerability to political and economic pressure. A 2024 report by the International Press Institute and the Media and Journalism Research Center emphasized that ERT’s leadership is routinely replaced with changes in government, severely compromising its editorial independence and institutional stability.
Independent media regulators have not been spared. Political influence over appointments to bodies such as the National Council for Radio and Television and the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) has raised serious concerns about the impartiality and effectiveness of oversight mechanisms intended to safeguard press freedom.
This environment has had a direct impact on public perception. According to the 2024 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute, only 23% of Greeks express trust in the news – a figure among the lowest in the European Union. Distrust is particularly strong among younger audiences and those on the political left. Interestingly, local and regional media outlets garner more trust than national ones, which are widely viewed as aligned with political or corporate interests.
Journalists in Greece face escalating threats to their safety and freedom of expression. Hate speech targeting media professionals – often online or during protests – has intensified, frequently involving rhetoric from politicians and their supporters. Physical attacks have also increased, particularly at protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
One of the most troubling cases in 2024 involved Rizospastis journalist Giorgos Androutsos, who was violently detained by police while covering a demonstration by seasonal firefighters in Athens. Despite clearly identifying himself as a member of the press, Androutsos was thrown to the ground, beaten, handcuffed, and later hospitalised. He now faces criminal charges.
Freedom of information is also under threat. Journalists across Greece report systematic resistance or refusal by public officials to comply with Freedom of Information (FOI) requests—a trend echoed in other EU member states including Germany, Malta, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Spain. This resistance obstructs investigative journalism and limits public accountability.
Legal intimidation tactics have further intensified through the continued use of SLAPPs—Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. These abusive lawsuits are designed to burden journalists with costly and time-consuming legal battles. Greece is among several EU countries where SLAPPs pose a persistent threat. Only Malta has so far transposed the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive ahead of its May 2026 deadline.
Meanwhile, the broader structure of media ownership in Greece raises long-term concerns about media independence. Despite the large number of outlets, control is concentrated in the hands of a few powerful business families with substantial interests in other sectors such as shipping, finance, and energy. These groups often rely on public contracts and maintain close political ties.
A 2024 investigation by independent outlet Solomon, titled Who Owns the Media, revealed that 762 companies are linked to just 12 major media owners in Greece. Many of these individuals operate through opaque corporate structures and offshore tax havens. The investigation concludes that these owners effectively use their media assets as tools of influence, shaping both public opinion and political discourse to serve their broader business interests.
While Greece has initiated discussions about aligning its media laws with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), meaningful reforms have yet to be implemented. Though some provisions, such as those under Articles 6 and 22, are reflected in current Greek legislation, key elements remain missing. In particular, there is no requirement for media concentration assessments to evaluate their impact on pluralism.
The Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) is a Berlin-based civil liberties group with 23 member organisations across the EU.
They have a commitment to campaigning for human and digital rights issues including the rule of law, media freedom, SLAPPs, data protection and privacy, healthy online ecosystem and digital services, targeted political advertising, AI, and mass surveillance.
