Greek Government charged with trying to control airwaves

(Vatican Radio) Armed police blocked off the Greek government’s media regulator building in Athens on Tuesday morning in what many fear could be the start of an attempt by the leftwing-led government to control the airwaves.

Listen to the report by John Carr: 

The police are there to guard two days of negotiations between officials and eight media businesses that will end with just four national television channel licences being awarded.  

The process has come under savage criticism from the opposition as a drive to close many private tv channels that are critical of the government’s policies.

To add to the drama, the bidders for the media licences will not be allowed to leave the building for 48 hours while their bids are examined, and will be under camera surveillance at all times.  The government’s case is that this will ensure that the process is incorruptible.  

But it has triggered ridicule among many Greeks, who suspect that the leftwing government wants to tighten its hold over television by claiming that the industry so far was ridden by corruption – and installing its own tame media barons in place.