On 9 February 2026, during the government’s regular press briefing for political correspondents, spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis addressed journalist Christos Avramidis in a manner widely interpreted as a threat of legal action. The exchange occurred after Avramidis asked a question concerning a deadly migrant shipwreck near Chios. Marinakis suggested that the journalist’s conduct could have legal consequences, accused him of misrepresenting information, and indicated that he might initiate legal proceedings if such conduct continued. The incident prompted strong reactions from Greek and international media organizations. The Journalists’ Union of Macedonia and Thrace (ESIEM‑TH) issued a statement criticizing the spokesperson’s behaviour, arguing that threats and disparaging remarks toward journalists have no place in official press briefings.
The union stressed that the institutional role of a government spokesperson requires respect for journalistic work and evidence‑based responses to questions. It warned that attempts to intimidate or undermine journalists weaken public trust in the media and damage the credibility of the profession. The Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’ Unions (POESY) also endorsed this position.
International organizations responded similarly. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the spokesperson’s remarks as an act of intimidation and called for their withdrawal, noting that such tactics are incompatible with democratic norms. Amnesty International expressed concern about the suggestion of legal action against a journalist for performing his professional duties, emphasizing that freedom of expression and access to information are essential components of democratic accountability. The organization reiterated that journalists must be able to work freely and independently, without threats, intimidation, or punitive measures.
The incident was also recorded as a “verbal attack” by the Mapping Media Freedom monitoring mechanism, operated by the European Centre for Press & Media Freedom – ECPMF.
In a state governed by the rule of law, where individual rights, including press freedom, are protected, journalists must be able to carry out their work freely and independently, without censorship, threats to their safety, or disproportionate and unjustified restrictions. Article 14(2) of the Greek Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of the press and prohibits censorship and other preventive measures.
In this case, the government spokesperson’s threats of legal action against a journalist performing his professional duties were widely condemned by domestic and international organizations as an act of intimidation and a form of verbal attack. Such conduct raises concerns about respect for press freedom, the protection of journalists, and the broader environment for accountability and public scrutiny.
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