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May 08, 2025 – Greece –
Media freedom in Greece continues to deteriorate, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch and multiple international journalism watchdogs. The findings highlight how systemic government surveillance, lack of transparency, and legal intimidation are undermining the ability of journalists to operate freely in the country historically known as the birthplace of democracy.
The Human Rights Watch report, titled “From Bad to Worse”, details how journalists in Greece are subject to increasing levels of harassment, surveillance, and obstruction. Among the most concerning revelations is the use of spyware against investigative reporters. Notably, journalists who investigated government corruption and migration policy have been targeted with surveillance tools like Predator spyware, often without legal oversight or justification. These actions have raised fears about the misuse of national security laws to silence critical reporting.
In addition to digital surveillance, the Greek government has been accused of creating a hostile legal environment for journalists. Defamation lawsuits, often initiated by public officials or business figures with political connections, have become a common tactic to burden reporters with legal costs and deter them from pursuing critical stories. The lack of accountability in these cases further erodes trust in the judiciary’s role in protecting press freedom.
The International Press Institute (IPI) echoed these concerns, warning that political interference and the lack of independence in public media have led to editorial censorship and biased coverage. Independent journalists face exclusion from government briefings and public information, restricting their ability to report accurately on matters of public interest.
Media watchdogs have called on the European Union to take a stronger stance on the situation in Greece, urging the enforcement of press freedom standards among member states. The deterioration in Greece reflects a broader regional trend of democratic backsliding, but the pace and intensity of repression in Greece is alarming to many advocates.
Despite mounting criticism, the Greek government has denied wrongdoing and defended its media policies. However, journalists and civil society groups continue to demand greater protections, transparency, and institutional reforms to safeguard the essential role of a free press in democracy.
Reference –
Greece: The erosion of media freedom in the birthplace of democracy
https://www.hrw.org/report/2025/05/08/bad-worse/deterioration-media-freedom-greece
