11th of June, 2013 - 2500 workers fired in one day. Black on our screens and silence on our radios- fear and imposed widespread ignorance.
"When I heard of the sudden disappearance of the ERT signal from the screens while on air I was reminded of the military dictatorship." Costa Douzinas, The loss of ERT, the 'Greek BBC', is a cultural calamity
Their excuse: Cutting down public expenditure, a demand from the "Troika" that the former Greek neoliberal government had been obeying like a faithful dog in the name of "progressive" reforms...
"austerity...
and more austerity...
and a bit more austerity to see if it works...
an if it has not worked, perhaps a bit more is needed...
There is no way it will not work...
We have it all right
Always
..."
It takes a corrupted government with a weak value system , an unfair "rescue" package designed by non- elected technocrats to have the guts and the arrogance to suddenly in one day close down ERT.
I visited ERT in 2013. Police all over. I remember walking next to many other citizens towards the big building. All with fast, nervous pace determined to fight till the end.
- Messages of :
...asking the government to be fired, instead of the employees of ERT...
...The end of Democracy...
...the Black of Fascism...
And the question in our faces? "Why did the public broadcaster has to die?"
The Lost Signal of Democracy the documentary by Yorgos Avgeropoulos gives some clues.
"When I heard of the sudden disappearance of the ERT signal from the screens while on air I was reminded of the military dictatorship." Costa Douzinas, The loss of ERT, the 'Greek BBC', is a cultural calamity
Their excuse: Cutting down public expenditure, a demand from the "Troika" that the former Greek neoliberal government had been obeying like a faithful dog in the name of "progressive" reforms...
"austerity...
and more austerity...
and a bit more austerity to see if it works...
an if it has not worked, perhaps a bit more is needed...
There is no way it will not work...
We have it all right
Always
..."
It takes a corrupted government with a weak value system , an unfair "rescue" package designed by non- elected technocrats to have the guts and the arrogance to suddenly in one day close down ERT.
I visited ERT in 2013. Police all over. I remember walking next to many other citizens towards the big building. All with fast, nervous pace determined to fight till the end.
- Messages of :
...asking the government to be fired, instead of the employees of ERT...
...The end of Democracy...
...the Black of Fascism...
And the question in our faces? "Why did the public broadcaster has to die?"
The Lost Signal of Democracy the documentary by Yorgos Avgeropoulos gives some clues.
ERT, was not the most accurate or objective broadcaster some will argue, why to care so much? Well, relatively to the private TV channels owned by political parties, ERT had the potential to have a more objective and independent voice. Also, the historical archives of 75 year broadcasting is a cultural identity treasure. We all grew up with ERT. And then it is the issue of the freedom of speech amidst of years of deep not just economic recession, but also social...When fascism is growing and the diversity is persecuted; in this context the demands and needs of the most vulnerable affected by the crisis have to have where to be represented.
Two years without ERT on our TV and radios. But when silence is imposed in such a drastic way, the reaction is bigger, creative and unexpected. For two years, former employees and citizens rallied on the street, kept emitting online through the internet, occupied ERT building and organised talks, concerts and cultural events.
Two years of more deep socioeconomic unrest and unfair political decisions and elections - and the first ever socialist party in Greece, SYRIZA wins. And it is not that suddenly, we all became socialists, but we are fed up so much and we take a risk - it is easier, when you have nothing more to loose.
11th of June 2015, under the new government ERT reopens, back on air. I have to be there, to support my desperate demand of a more objective, social and more humane TV and radio broadcaster that will not guide consciences through fear and stupidity, but through constructive criticism and open dialogue. It was all more colourful than two years ago. No police, no sadness or nervousness, just smiles, embraces, songs. How bizarre that different regimes and political decisions can actually create different emotional states. But it is not just who rules that brings change, it is mainly the people.
Our Prime Minister, Tsipras was there and many more politicians "It is the people, not the government responsible for the return of ERT. ", he said. It may sound a bit populist, but I agree. The opening of ERT proves my point that: It takes active citizens but also a responsible and fair government so that social rights can be enjoyed, if one of the two fails, there is a clash of interest, that does not lead anywhere.
...Karine Saleck got amazing photos of our prime Minister, Tsipras and the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Zwh Konstantopouloy. Thank you Karine! I got Yanis Varoufakis, our Finance Minister.
While the endless negotiations are still going on, I am hoping for small successes that have long term affects. The opening of ERT is a great one, especially when we recall that few months ago just for thinking, or looking differently because of the colour of ourskin, beliefs, religious or sexual preferences we could be persecuted...yes definitely ERT back on air - is something to celebrate for.
Χριστίνα
Two years without ERT on our TV and radios. But when silence is imposed in such a drastic way, the reaction is bigger, creative and unexpected. For two years, former employees and citizens rallied on the street, kept emitting online through the internet, occupied ERT building and organised talks, concerts and cultural events.
Two years of more deep socioeconomic unrest and unfair political decisions and elections - and the first ever socialist party in Greece, SYRIZA wins. And it is not that suddenly, we all became socialists, but we are fed up so much and we take a risk - it is easier, when you have nothing more to loose.
11th of June 2015, under the new government ERT reopens, back on air. I have to be there, to support my desperate demand of a more objective, social and more humane TV and radio broadcaster that will not guide consciences through fear and stupidity, but through constructive criticism and open dialogue. It was all more colourful than two years ago. No police, no sadness or nervousness, just smiles, embraces, songs. How bizarre that different regimes and political decisions can actually create different emotional states. But it is not just who rules that brings change, it is mainly the people.
Our Prime Minister, Tsipras was there and many more politicians "It is the people, not the government responsible for the return of ERT. ", he said. It may sound a bit populist, but I agree. The opening of ERT proves my point that: It takes active citizens but also a responsible and fair government so that social rights can be enjoyed, if one of the two fails, there is a clash of interest, that does not lead anywhere.
...Karine Saleck got amazing photos of our prime Minister, Tsipras and the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Zwh Konstantopouloy. Thank you Karine! I got Yanis Varoufakis, our Finance Minister.
While the endless negotiations are still going on, I am hoping for small successes that have long term affects. The opening of ERT is a great one, especially when we recall that few months ago just for thinking, or looking differently because of the colour of ourskin, beliefs, religious or sexual preferences we could be persecuted...yes definitely ERT back on air - is something to celebrate for.
Χριστίνα