IPI: GREECE BREACHES THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES TO BE INFORMED
Regional.
The new draft bill on media in Greece prevents the regional media economic development, and prevents minority groups from access to information.
This, among other, is said in the protest letter of the global organization for freedom of press - International Press Institute (IPI) from Vienna sent on Wednesday to the president of Greek Parliament Ana Benaki-Psarouda.
The draft bill "Concentration and licensing of media organizations and other provisions", that is in parliamentary procedure, envisages the owners of radio stations that broadcast news to leave a deposit - a guarantee - of 100.000 Euros, while for stations that broadcast music, this amount is 60 thousand Euros.
The proposed bill also binds the radio stations to have 24 hours of programme, regardless whether the station broadcasts information or something else.
"This is destimulating for smaller media that try to produce limited, but essential programme for the regional minorities", IPI reacts.
According to the organization, this perception is strengthened by the additional limitation for the minorities with the provision that main language during the broadcast must be the Greek language.
"IPI considers that with this, the Greek Government acts contrary to the obligations from the International Agreement for Civil and Political Issues, in connection with support of the minority rights", is said in the letter.
MD: The organization announced that the protest letter would be sent to all relevant international institutions, such as the Council of Europe, OSCE and UNESCO.
[MakFax]
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