ATHENS – A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleges that press freedom in Greece has been suppressed since Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government took office in 2019. The report cites the use of phone malware and aggressive lawsuits against journalists as key factors.
Based on interviews with 34 journalists, academics, legal experts, and media experts, the 101-page report states that at least 15 journalists have faced lawsuits or legal threats for their reporting. HRW also references an annual index from Reporters Without Borders, which ranks Greece as having the lowest score in Europe for press freedom.
HRW highlights the ease with which Greek law allows for restricting journalists through Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), filed on the basis of defamation or breach of EU data protection claims.
Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at HRW, stated that “the pervasive and deliberate constraints on journalism in Greece are creating an environment in which critical reporting is stifled and self-censorship becomes the norm.”
The Greek government has previously dismissed these allegations, and spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated on Wednesday that Greece has made progress on media freedom, as reflected in the European Commission’s annual report on the rule of law.
The issue of press freedom in Greece gained significant attention in 2022 following the revelation of a wiretapping scandal, where a journalist reported that his phone had been infected with spyware. Traces of this spyware were later found on numerous phones.
HRW is urging Greek authorities to develop an action plan that includes ensuring the independence of public media, adopting anti-SLAPPs legislation, and protecting journalists from surveillance.
