Greek Public Broadcasting Back On Air

ATHENS: Public broadcasting has resumed in Greece, one month after the government pulled the plug on state broadcaster ERT.

The frequencies once occupied by ERT began airing again late yesterday as Greek Public Television (EDT), with a logo in the background. An old Greek movie was aired. The new signal will continue to air old movies and documentaries, but no live programs.

The network serves as a placeholder until the launch of the new Greek public broadcasting network, New Greek Radio, Internet and Television (NERIT), is ready to go on air. NERIT will be a slimmed-down version of ERT, which was shut down by the government in June due to cost-cutting measures that resulted in 2,600 employees losing their jobs.

Press unions are unhappy about the EDT broadcasts, and have called a five-hour work-stoppage to protest against the government’s broadcast of public signals without the participation of former ERT workers. The unions called the broadcast "unconstitutional and undemocratic."

A bill for NERIT’s establishment is currently being debated at the Parliament.