Today the European
Federation of Journalists (EFJ) the European group of the International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed its concerns over adoption of new austerity
measures in Greece.
"As Greek politicians voted
over the austerity measures in the country and over the future of millions of
workers, we supported strikers, media workers and journalists who defend their
social rights", said EFJ President Arne König."We are now worried that these
measures will reinforce poverty and precarious work among the profession".
A general strike started at
midnight on Tuesday and some protesters clashed with police during protest. Yesterday
the Greek Parliament voted on a new series of austerity plan and on a draft law
on its implementation with a short majority of 155 votes in favor and 138
against. Greece is now supposed to get the fifth tranche of the European
Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bail-out.
Enforcing austerity
measures must by no means conclude to a full deregulation of working
conditions, says the EFJ. Media have been seriously affected by the austerity
measures and some young working journalists are literally at the verge of
poverty. Instead, media and journalism need investment to carry out the role of
information for the public, in particular in times of crisis, if the profession
wants to be trusted and respected.
For more information, please contact EFJ on + 32 2 235 22 00
The EFJ represents more than 250.000 members in over 30 countries
