Closure of ERT

Last updated

Closure of ERT
20131107 ERT demonstration Agia Paraskeyh Athina.jpg
Date11 June – 7 November 2013
Location Greece
CausesFiring of 2,656 employees
MethodsOccupation of the Radiomegaron
Protests
Establishment of ERT Open
OutcomeEvacuation of the Radiomegaron
Establishment of new operator

The Shutdown of ERT took place in Greece from 11 June until 7 November 2013. The ND/PASOK/DIMAR coalition government closed the then public broadcaster as part of its transformation to New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television (NERIT). The decision was very controversial, and caused national and international outrage, and caused Democratic Left to leave the government. Most fired employees continued to broadcast from the headquarters of ERT, while after their expulsion from the Radiomegaron, a minority continued broadcasting through ΕRT Open while others took part in the new public broadcaster, NERIT.

Contents

Timeline

On 11 June 2013, Minister for the Press and Mass Media and Government Spokesperson Simos Kedikoglou announced that by midnight of the same day, ERT would shut down and that its 2.656 employees would be laid-off. According to his statements, after a short but undefined period of time, a new public broadcaster with a staff of less than 1,000 people would begin operating. [1]

ERT was dissolved by a joint ministerial decision issued under Article 14B of the Law 3429/2005 (on the dissolution, merger and restructuring of public enterprises) as amended by an Act of Legislative Content (Government Gazette 139/11.6.2013, Issue A'). [2] [3] [4] Despite the existence of a budget surplus thanks to the contribution fee, Kedikoglou described ERT as a "waste shelter" that cost more and had fewer viewers than private media. [5]

Shortly before dawn on 12 June the transmission of the signal from the broadcasting antennas throughout Greece was interrupted by the intervention of the MAT on some transmitters. [6] The analogue signal was interrupted at 22:54, the digital signal at 23:12 and the radio signal at 23:22. [7] At the same time, the signal of other TV channels using the same transponders was cut off. Using satellite services, some offices and other places that had not yet been closed, ERT journalists continued their broadcasts online. [8]

In turn the state, which had already directly assumed the management of ERT, requested the suspension of the retransmission of ERT's television programming by television stations and internet providers on the grounds that it was not legal and licensed. [9]

On 12 June the official websites ert.gr, ert3.gr and voiceofgreece.gr were removed from the Greek online register. Other assets and websites registered by ERT were in danger of being shut down (because the managers decided to cancel and change the contact address), in particular the official Facebook and Twitter pages. ERT Live began broadcasting on other websites and blogs. [10] [11] [12]

Reactions

The closure of ERT triggered a wave of protests and reactions throughout Greece, with citizens gathering outside the ERT Radiomegaron in a show of support and solidarity throughout the evening, while the ESIEA, the GSEE and ADEDY went on a 24-hour strike. [13] A wave of reactions was also caused abroad with the beginning of the television coverage of the events at the Mesogeion Avenue Radiomegaron by foreign television networks. The EBU was quick to criticise the closure of ERT, issuing a statement expressing "deep disappointment on behalf of the entire public media in Europe" and calling on Prime Minister Antonis Samaras to reverse the decision. [14]

On 12 June the Belgian channel "Télé Bruxelles" (now "BX1") broadcast the ERT logo with the word "Solidarité" meaning "solidarity" underneath. [15]

Despite the announcement of the closure, the majority of ERT employees remained at their workplaces. After the closure of the transmitters and the website, broadcasting continued via satellite with EBU equipment. [16] The EBU also allocated a frequency for the live streaming of ERT's broadcast on the internet. [17] In addition, ERT employees reopened the analogue transmitters in most areas of Greece to continue broadcasting its programme.

On 21 June 2013 the Democratic Left, the then third government partner, withdrew from the ND-PASOK coalition, citing as a reason the way the government chose to reorganise public broadcasting. [18]

Council of state decision and creation of Dimosia Tileorasi

On 12 June 2013 the government announced the entity that would replace ERT, New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television (NERIT). [19] Five days later, the Council of State ruled that the closure of ERT was legal but at the same time demanded the continued operation of a public broadcaster for the period until the establishment and operation of a new broadcaster. [20] In order not to reopen ERT, the government created a temporary body, Dimosia Tileorasi, which was under the Ministry of Finance, which had undertaken the management of ERT's assets and liquidation. The broadcaster began its experimental operation on 10 July.

POSPERT appeal to the European Court of Justice

In April 2018 the European Court of Human Rights accepted and examined the application of POSPERT, which, among other things, argued that "the total closure of a public service broadcaster amounts to a violation of freedom of expression, protected by Article 10 of the ECHR". [21]

Continued broadcasting and evacuation of the Radiomegaron

Most of the workers refused to leave the ERT building and continued broadcasting their radio, [22] and television [23] broadcasts as well as through the internet. On 24 October 2013 the EBU stopped transmitting ERT's programme via its satellites, which affected terrestrial broadcasting in some parts of Greece. At dawn on Thursday 7 November 2013, riot police and in the presence of a prosecutor entered the Agia Paraskevi Radiomegaron, evacuated it and arrested four employees. [24] In this way, they put an end to five months of radio and television broadcasting from the Radiomegaron. This was followed by clashes and limited use of tear gas outside the building where people gathered after a call by the workers. [25]

A minority of ERT employees continued to broadcast programmes through the ERT Open project, which continued television broadcasts from ET3's frequencies and radio broadcasts from various regions of Greece.

Re-opening of ERT

The SYRIZA and the ANEL, the two parties that formed the coalition government that emerged from the elections of January 2015 had in their programme the reopening of ERT. On 28 April 2015, the relevant bill was passed by a majority vote [26] which provided for the reopening of all ERT's television and radio stations and the Radiotelevision magazine, with a maximum planned staff of 2,500 employees. [27]

So ERT came back together with the channels: ERT1, ERT2 and ERT HD and the radio stations: Proto, Second and Third Programme, Kosmos 93.6, ERA Sport, Voice of Greece, ERT3's radio station Macedonia (102 FM, 95.8 FM) and its 19 regional radio stations on 11 June 2015 with a renewed programme, 95.8 FM).

ERT's third channel, ERT3, which did not stop broadcasting from the day of the operator's closure, reappeared on ERT's nationwide frequencies with a new programme on 29 June 2015. On 12 October 2017, the Radiotelevision magazine was re-released. [28] The radio programmes Filia 106.7, Trito Programma Vrahea and the foreign language programmes of the Voice of Greece did not resume. [29] On 5 March 2018, the ERT building at the corner of Muroouzi and Rigillis streets was reopened and fully reopened.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation</span> Greek public broadcasting corporation

The Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, commonly shortened to ERT, is the state-owned public radio and television broadcaster of Greece.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 44 times since its debut in 1974, missing six contests in that time. Greece's first win came in 2005 with "My Number One", sung by Helena Paparizou. The Greek participant broadcaster in the contest is Elliniki Radiofonia Tileorasi (ERT). Greece has never finished last in the contest.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Watch My Dance", written by Giannis Christodoulopoulos and Eleana Vrahali. The song was performed by Loukas Yorkas featuring Stereo Mike. To select their entry for the 2011 contest, which took place in Düsseldorf, Germany, Greek national television broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) organised the national final Ellinikós Telikós 2011 which took place in March 2011. Six competing acts—Antigoni Psihrami, Kokkina Halia, Yorkas, Nikki Ponte, Trimitonio, and Valando Tryfonos—performed their prospective entries live during the televised event, with the winner selected by a combination of a public televote and a panel of judges.

ERT Sports was a Greek free-to-air television channel, owned by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, the state broadcaster of Greece. It was the first high-definition television channel in the country and started broadcasting on 27 April 2011 in several large cities such as Athens, Thessaloniki and Alexandroupoli as ERT HD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television</span> Greek broadcasting company

New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television or NERIT (ΝΕΡΙΤ) was the state-owned public broadcaster for Greece from 4 May 2014 to 11 June 2015. Antonis Samaras' coalition government established NERIT to replace the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) in 2013: NERIT began broadcasting under their identity on 4 May 2014, replacing the transitional service Dimosia Tileorasi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimosia Tileorasi</span>

Public Television (DT) (originally as Greek Public Television (EDT)) was a temporary, state television broadcaster in Greece (up to the creation of the new public channels of NERIT). From 27 January 2014, the management of the DT has gone to the Board of NERIT, to operate the new, permanent broadcaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadcasting House (Athens)</span> Building in Athens, Greece

The Broadcasting House or House of Radio is an office and broadcasting installation building in Athens, Greece. It currently houses the Greek state broadcaster, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Programme</span> Greek national radio station

First Programme is the first Greek public radio station, first broadcast by the National Radio Foundation and later Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation.

Blue Sky is a Greek, private regional television station. It started operating in November 1990. It broadcasts digitally from Ymittos, Parnitha and Aegina, covering the region of Attica.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Utopian Land" written by Vladimiros Sofianidis and performed by the band Argo. The song was internally selected by the Greek broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) to represent Greece at the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Argo were announced as the Greek representatives in February 2016, a month before their song "Utopian Land" was presented.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "This Is Love" written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Romy Papadea and John Ballard. The song was performed by Demy, who was internally selected by the Greek broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) to represent Greece at the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. Demy was announced at the Greek representative on 13 January 2017, while a national final was held in order to select the song she would perform. Three songs competed in the national final on 6 March 2017 and a combination of international jury voting and public voting selected "This Is Love" as the winning song.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Oniro mou" written by Aris Kalimeris, Dimitris Stamatiou, Yianna Terzi and Mihalis Papathanasiou and performed by Terzi. A national final was scheduled to be held in order to select the Greek entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. Five entries were to compete in the final on 22 February 2018 where public voting would exclusively select the winner, however "Oniro mou" performed by Terzi was announced as the Greek entry on 16 February 2018 following the disqualification of four out of the five national final entries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nefeli Mousoura</span> Musical artist

Nefeli Mousoura is a Greek classical pianist.

Greece planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, which was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greek-Dutch singer Stefania was internally selected by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) with the song "Supergirl", written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Sharon Vaughn, Pavlos Manolis, Anastasios Rammos, Diverno and Gabriel Russell. Due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe, the contest was cancelled in mid-March. ERT has stated Stefania will instead represent Greece at the 2021 contest.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greek-Dutch singer Stefania was internally selected by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) to represent the nation with the song "Last Dance", written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Arcade, and Sharon Vaughn. Stefania was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Supergirl" before that event's eventual cancellation. The visual content for the performance was created by Asterman, contributing to the staging and artistic direction of the performance.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy. The Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) internally selected Amanda Tenfjord to represent the nation with the song "Die Together", written by Tenfjord and Bjørn Helge Gammelsæter. Tenfjord was announced as the Greek representative on 15 December 2021, with her song later presented to the public on 10 March 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Die Together</span> 2022 song by Amanda Tenfjord

"Die Together" is a 2022 single by Greek-Norwegian singer Amanda Tenfjord. The song was officially released on 10 March 2022 on Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation's (ERT) show Studio 4. It represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy after being internally selected by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. The song reached number two in Greece.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The Greek broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) internally selected Victor Vernicos to represent the country with the song "What They Say", which he composed himself. Vernicos was announced as the artist on 30 January 2023, while the song was presented to the public on 12 March. The entry selection process was subject to a legal challenge by second-place candidate Melissa Mantzoukis; however, Vernicos' participation was ultimately allowed to continue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">95.8 FM (Greece)</span> Radio station in Thessaloniki, Greece

95.8 FM is the second programme of the ERT3 radio service.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with "Zari" performed by Marina Satti. The Greek broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) internally selected the Greek representative for the contest.

References

  1. ↑ Ξαφνικό θάνατο της ΕΡΤ ανακοίνωσε η κυβέρνηση, www.in.gr, 11 Ιουνίου 2013
  2. ↑ Article 44 of the Greek Constitution allows the President, upon the proposal of the Council of Ministers "under exceptional circumstances of extreme urgency and unforeseen necessity" to issue decrees that have immediate effect, but must be submitted to Parliament within 40 days and ratified within three months of submission.
  3. ↑ "Νόμος υπ' αριθ. 3429 (ΦΕΚ A 314/2005)". Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως. 27 December 2005.
  4. ↑ "Τροποποίηση του νόμου υπ' αριθ. 3429 (ΦΕΚ A 139/2013)". Εφημερίδα της Κυβερνήσεως. 11 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "Greece shuts down state broadcaster in search for new savings". Λονδίνο: Guardian. 12 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Η διακοπή του σήματος της ΕΡΤ
  7. ↑ Νασόπουλος Διονύσης (12 June 2013). "Σοκ στην ΕΡΤ, σεισμός στην κυβέρνηση". Τα Νέα. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  8. ↑ The shutdown of ERT – Live blog 12 June 2013
  9. ↑ Στουρνάρας σε όσους αναμεταδίδουν την ΕΡΤ: Κόψτε το σήμα, είναι παράνομο, θα έχετε κυρώσεις
  10. ↑ ΕΡΤ LIVE
  11. ↑ "Ζωντανή αναμετάδοση του σήματος της ΕΡΤ". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "Η μάχη της ΕΡΤ: Live Blogging". Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "Πλήθος κόσμου διαδήλωσε για μία ακόμη ημέρα έξω από την ΕΡΤ". IN.gr. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "EBU Urges Greek Government to Reverse Decision on ERT". EBU.ch. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "ERT-Solidarite". enet.gr. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  16. ↑ Lisa O'Carroll (12 June 2013). "ERT shutdown: European Broadcasting Union sets up makeshift studio". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Στο Ραδιομέγαρο της ΕΡΤ η EBU". voria.gr. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  18. ↑ "Η αποχώρηση της ΔΗΜΑΡ". kathimetini.gr. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "Νέα Ελληνική Ραδιοφωνία, Ίντερνετ και Τηλεόραση" (PDF). www.minpress.gr. 12 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "ΣτΕ: "Ναι" στο κλείσιμο, "όχι" στο "μαύρο" στην ΕΡΤ".
  21. ↑ ΜΛ (15 March 2018). "Στο Ευρωπαϊκό Δικαστήριο για το λουκέτο στην ΕΡΤ". left.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  22. ↑ "Ακούστε ζωντανά την ΕΡΑ Αθήνας". ERTOpen.com. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  23. ↑ "Δείτε ζωντανά την ΝΕΤ". ERTOpen.com. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  24. ↑ Η επέμβαση στο Ραδιομέγαρο της ΕΡΤ
  25. ↑ "Αστυνομική επέμβαση για την εκκένωση της ΕΡΤ". news.in.gr. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  26. ↑ Πουλακίδας, Κώστας (1 May 2015). "ΕΡΤ: Από την Τρίτη τα ιδιωτικά κανάλια θα έχουν ανταγωνιστή". avgi.gr. avgi.gr. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Τι προβλέπει το νομοσχέδιο για την επανασύσταση της ΕΡΤ". in.gr. in.gr. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Επανακυκλοφορεί δωρεάν η ιστορική "Ραδιοτηλεόραση" (video)". aftodioikisi.gr. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "Τελικά δεν επαναλειτούργησε ολόκληρη η ΕΡΤ. Ποια ραδιόφωνα δεν άνοιξαν ποτέ". radiofono.gr. radiofono.gr. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.