On August 31, 2022, the journalists union of Macedonia – Thrace issued a statement denouncing “restrictions” and “hostile behaviour” by police authorities towards the journalists who were covering the strikes at the Malamatina company factory, in Kalochori Thessaloniki.
The union claims that colleagues who were covering the violent clashes between riot police and strikers complained that police officers systematically attempted to prevent their access to the factory grounds.
According to allegations, the use of violent repression and chemicals by the police authorities also resulted in injuries to strikers and those gathered in the factory area. Among the wounded was association member Panagiotis Charalambidis.
The union emphasised that the Hellenic Police are obliged to facilitate journalists in their work and to protect them in the exercise of their duties.
In a state that adheres to the rule of law, where individual rights are protected as well as the freedom of the press, journalists have the right to exercise their profession freely and without state restrictions.
However, despite the guarantee of freedom of the press by article 14 of the Constitution, a journalists union complains that the police authorities obstructed journalists attempting to cover a strike in Malamatina.
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