EBU Pushes for Urgent Action to Reopen ERT

ST. JULIAN’S: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is calling for urgent action by the Greek government to reopen public broadcaster ERT while it attempts to overhaul the organization.

Members of the EBU gathered in Malta for the 70th General Assembly, where the union expressed its disappointment and concern over the fact that ERT remains closed despite a recent court ruling that the pubcaster should resume transmission.

The broadcasting union said: "After the Greek Government took ERT off air on June 11, the country’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, ordered the return to air of public service broadcasting as soon as possible.
 The EBU membership welcomes the court’s interim ruling, which reaffirms the pivotal role of public service media in democratic society. Yet the Greek Government still has not succeeded in restoring services, and ERT channels remain black and silent.
 The Greek Government has announced it will establish a new organization to replace ERT, in line with the highest European standards. However, to do this successfully, and based on an open democratic debate, will take time.

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The EBU unanimously calls for urgent action to immediately set up interim services and re-establish public service programming, making use of existing facilities and staff.
The EBU offers its expertise to the Greek Government and to Mr Pantelis Kapsis, the new deputy minister in charge of public service broadcasting, in reaching short- and long-term solutions to provide independent, sustainable public service media that contribute to pluralism, diversity and inclusivity in Greece, in accordance with the Public Service Media Values of our Union."