Yesterday, the Greek government forcibly shut down the state broadcaster, ERT, sending in the police to drag journalists away from their microphones. The government claimed that the shutdown was the result of inescapable austerity measures. In response, the European Broadcasting Union — an umbrella group representing public broadcasters across Europe — has set up a makeshift mobile studio where ERT broadcasters can continue to work and stay on air.
This is being fed around Europe on an EBU satellite as part of its European news exchange operation and can be picked up by commercial stations in Greece but not the general public.
A spokesman for the EBU, which is headquartered in Geneva, said a “high-level meeting with a conference call” with the director general of ERT would take place later on Wednesday to decide on next steps.
Roger Mosey, the BBC’s editorial director, who is on the EBU board told the Guardian: “We’re watching events in Greece with great concern. When countries are in difficulty, there’s an even bigger need for public service broadcasting and for independent, impartial news coverage. I hope that’s restored in Greece as soon as possible.”
The EBU spokesman said ERT staff in contact with the organisation have told them the power has not yet been cut by the government, but email servers have been taken down. They are now contacting the EBU through smartphones, using Facebook and personal email accounts.
“This is unprecedented, stations have closed and re-opened for a number of reasons, but never with such abruptness,” said a spokesman for the EBU.
ERT shutdown: European Broadcasting Union sets up makeshift studio [Lisa O’Carroll/The Guardian]