Council of Europe rights chief says Greece's ERT closure a blow to democracy, urges reopening

Published January 13, 2015

Europe's commissioner for human rights has strongly condemned the closure of Greece's state ERT broadcaster, and urged the government to repeal the decision.

In a statement e-mailed to the Associated Press Thursday, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks says the move "deals a heavy blow to a fundamental pillar of democracy."

This week's sudden decision touched off a government crisis amid daily protests. All 2,700 ERT jobs will be lost to boost Greece's cost-cutting efforts. The government said a streamlined ERT will reopen by the autumn.

Muiznieks said even a temporary closure reduces media pluralism and curtails freedom of expression.

He said the decision "sends a chilling signal to the media and stirs tensions in a country already suffering from a serious financial and social crisis."

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/council-of-europe-rights-chief-says-greeces-ert-closure-a-blow-to-democracy-urges-reopening