Famed author Naomi Klein was invited by opposition party SYRIZA to speak at an event about the role of the media in public political debate. Mrs. Klein explained that during her stay in Greece she realized that the Greek media dissuade public dialog of alternative solutions and spread feelings of hopelessness. Αccording to the author, the idea that there is no alternative solution and that the erroneous dilemma posed is austerity or biblical catastrophe dominate Greek media.
The coordinator of SYRIZA’s information department Vasilis Moulopoulos stressed that the freedom of information can be restricted by an outright ban, as is customary of oppressive states, or by financial and political interests amassing media outlets under their control.
Academic Maria Komninou added that the structure of the public sphere was changed when the first bail out rescue package was signed in 2009 and turned the Greek democracy into a peculiar post-colonial state. The ensuing political debate on the rescue deal was dominated in traditional media by the pro-government agenda, while the opposition expressed its reaction via the “Indignados”, liberal media outlets and blogs.
