The controversial closure of public broadcasting service ERT and its subsequent replacement by the DT channel (formerly EDT), has escalated the tensions between journalist federation ESIEA and the appointed Deputy Minister of Public Broadcasts Pantelis Kapsis.
On Thursday the 5th of September, ESIEA condemned “the plethora of illegalities, lack of transparency and the selective application of rules” which dominate the staff selection process for DT. The federation claims that the list of successful candidates is “cooked up” at will and former ERT employees are asked to sign away their right to pursue a judicial overturn of their dismissal from ERT.
The Deputy Minister claimed to be surprised by ESIEA’s announcement and assured that everything in the selection process is above board and according to the established regulations. Mr. Kapsis also denies the allegation that employees must wave their legal rights to appeal their dismissal from ERT.
The former ERT employees who have not yet been recruited by DT accused Mr. Kapsis of “resorting to lies to cover up the ridiculous staff selection procedures” and pointed out that the contracts include a de facto waiver of the right to appeal unlawful dismissal from ERT.
