Greek TV stations face sign-off in licensing row

AFP, ATHENS: Greece is in the grip of a row over television, with the government under attack for plans to slash the number of private channels in a sector that was hit hard by the financial crisis.
Authorities say they want to clean up an industry known for its workforce exploitation and rumoured under-the-table deals between media moguls, bankers and influential politicians, while bringing an end to 25 years of chaotic licensing.
The debt-laden government insists only "financially sustainable" channels should be allowed to broadcast, with several struggling stations reportedly owing large sums to both banks and state coffers.
But critics say the overhaul is merely a ploy by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to replace powerful TV barons -- who have opposed his leftist Syriza party in the past -- with others more to his liking.
Opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has accused the government of "authoritarian practices", saying: "If you are interested in pluralism, you should have given more licences."
Greece has eight private nationwide TV channels, offering up a mix of rowdy talk shows, news and entertainment.
These have been operating under provisional licences, in some cases for over two decades -- and Syriza has frequently accused previous governments of using broadcasters' precarious status to extract favourable coverage.
Now the government wants to grant just four 10-year licences.

Greek TV stations face sign-off in licensing row

AFP, ATHENS: Greece is in the grip of a row over television, with the government under attack for plans to slash the number of private channels in a sector that was hit hard by the financial crisis. Authorities say they want to clean up an industry known for its workforce exploitation and rumoured under-the-table deals between media moguls, bankers and influential politicians, while bringing an end to 25 years of chaotic licensing. The debt-laden government insists only financially sustainable channels should be allowed to broadcast, with several struggling stations reportedly owing large sums to both banks and state coffers. But critics say the overhaul is merely a ploy by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to replace powerful TV barons -- who have opposed his leftist Syriza party in the past -- with others more to his liking. Opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has accused the government of authoritarian practices, saying: If you are interested in pluralism, you should have given more licences. Greece has eight private nationwide TV channels, offering up a mix of rowdy talk shows, news and entertainment. These have been operating under provisional licences, in some cases for over two decades -- and Syriza has frequently accused previous governments of using broadcasters precarious status to extract favourable coverage. Now the government wants to grant just four 10-year licences.