The European
Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today expressed its great unease with the completely
unacceptable treatment of journalists by the Greek far-right "Chrisi Avgi"
party at a press conference on Sunday (6 May).
The party imposed
restrictive conditions on journalists attending the press conference, organised
by its leader Furrer N. Michaloliakos after the party secured 21 seats in the
Greek parliament. The restrictions included the exclusion of some journalists
from the press conference, including those who refused to stand up when Mr
Michaloliakos entered the room.
Arne König, EFJ
President, said: "This is a new precedent of an extremely alarming nature.
I am very worried by the aggressiveness shown towards the journalists who only wanted
to do their work. All political parties have to respect journalists and their professional
duty to inform citizens."
The EFJ has
joined with the Journalists' Union of the Athens Daily Newspapers and its other
affiliates in Greece to call on all press and media workers to resist such
unacceptable demands as they continue their struggle for press freedom and the
protection of democracy.
The EFJ is the European group of the International
Federation of Journalists
The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in 30 countries
For more information contact the EFJ at +32 2
235.2200
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- Far-right party's restrictions on journalists condemned