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Thodoris Chondrogiannos 28 • 01 • 2025

Doubts raised over ERT’s objectivity in covering protests over the Tempi rail disaster (26.1.2025)

Thodoris Chondrogiannos
Doubts raised over ERT’s objectivity in covering protests over the Tempi rail disaster (26.1.2025)
28 • 01 • 2025

ERT reportedly violated the principles of objectivity and completeness of information, pluralism and the free movement of ideas in downplaying in its news coverage the demonstrations that took place on 26 January 2025 regarding the fatal Tempi rail accident, a matter of important public interest, and as such, an issue on which the public broadcaster, ERT, has a corresponding obligation to provide extensive and objective news coverage.

On 26 January 2025, two representatives of ERT’s employees, Mr. Yannis Darras and Manolis Papanikitas, issued a statement denouncing ERT’s non-objective coverage of the protests over the Tempi accident, in violation of the public broadcaster’s obligation to provide “pluralistic and independent information”. They claimed that the protests were massively downplayed in the news coverage.

Whilst news of the biggest protest in years in the centre of Athens was featured on the 12 O’Clock news bulletin, it only featured 37 minutes into the show, without a single image from Syntagma Square. 

The statement suggested that this approach was intentional and premeditated, given that just one reporter and TV crew had been dispatched to cover the rally. The statement went on to denounce these tactics and demand that ERT carry out its mission “without government blinders.”

In this case, however, it appears that  ERT did not follow these principles since, according to the allegations made, ERT failed to provide adequate coverage of the widespread protests over the Tempi rail disaster, an issue of public interest. 

Furthermore, we should note that there are broader questions as to whether ERT can carry out its mission “independently of political parties” and “public authorities”, as its administration is appointed directly by the government.

Where is the problem with the rule of law?

The purpose, mission and general principles of the content provided by ERT require the public broadcaster to produce news that respects the principles of objectivity and completeness of information, as well as pluralism and the free flow of ideas, in order to provide a public broadcasting service in accordance with Article 15(2) of the Constitution and to contribute to the independent transmission of information and news, with full independence from the State, public or private authorities and political parties.

However, in the present case, according to the statements made by the two representatives of ERT employees on the Board of Directors (Mr. Yannis Darras and Mr. Manolis Papanikitas), ERT violated the above mentioned principles of journalistic ethics in its coverage of the demonstrations following the fatal accident in Tempi (26.1.2025), an issue of important public interest, about which citizens have the right to be fully informed.

 

Thodoris Chondrogiannos
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