wikilicks

"..16. All private television and most radio stations have been
operating without licenses until now as there has been no framework
for licensing. A new media law is expected to require licenses and
sharply limit the number of stations in operation. Concurrent with
the need to impose order in the media is the expressed but, so far,
unproven desire of New Democracy to break the web of interwoven
interests. Previous governments, trying to get good publicity,
turned a blind eye to the media´s illegal maneuvers in various areas
and even gave them tax breaks...."

"...10. As for the journalists themselves, they are an underpaid bunch
usually holding multiple jobs in order to pay their bills. It´s not
unusual for a journalist to work in a ministry press office, even
while covering the beat that includes that ministry. They´re very
conscious of their multiple masters. One long-time Mega Channel
reporter says she only recalls one instance where any of Mega´s five
owners was criticized on that station. It´s also acceptable for
journalists to take gifts or even money from those on whom they
report. The 2004 Olympics organizing committee was notorious for
paying journalists for favorable stories...."

"....8. The private media outlets in Athens are owned by a small group
of people who have made or inherited fortunes in shipping, banking,
telecommunications, sports, oil, insurance, etc. and who are or have
been related by blood, marriage, or adultery to political and
government officials and/or other media and business magnates. For
example, ship-owner and Mega Channel investor Vardis Vardinogiannis
is the best friend of Christos Lambrakis, publisher of "To Vima,"
is the best friend of Christos Lambrakis, publisher of "To Vima,"
"Ta Nea," "Athens News," and the "in.gr" news portal, and Lambrakis
has government construction contracts. Vardinoyannis´s two children
married into the Goulandris and Nomikos ship-owning families. His
sister Eleni is married to ND MP Yannis Kefaloyannis who serves as
special advisor to PM Karamanlis...."