ABTTF presented its study on the Media Law to international institutions and organizations

On 7 January 2010, Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) prepared a study on Law 3592/2007 which is knows as Greek Media Law and presented the related study to international institutions and organizations. The National Radio and Television Council (ESR) issued a precautionary recommendation based on the provisions of the related law that Tele Radio 104.2 FM must broadcast 25 percent in Greek language.

ABTTF: The law of media violates the right to freedom of expression and media

The study presents freedom of expression and media as a fundamental human right which should be protected and encouraged. In addition, the study examines in detail, that provisions of Law 3592/2007 on „Media Organizations Concentration and Licensing and Other Provisions“, which was adopted on July 16, 2007, must be revised. Consequently, the law is indicated as a violation of the right of freedom of expression and media in general terms and especially for those local media organizations, which operate in a smaller scale.

Furthermore, the provision of the relevant law, which also applies to regions with a minimum population of 100.000 people, and which additionally regulates for radio owners to own a minimum capital of 100.00 Euros for those broadcasting news, and 60.000 Euros for those broadcasting music, makes it almost impossible for broadcasting radio stations in the poorest region of Greece, Western Thrace. Secondly it is expressed in the study that the provision of the relevant law which brings a requirement for radio stations whether they broadcast music or news to make broadcasting for 24 hours, burdens additional costs for small-scale radio stations. In violation of International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the requirements that the main broadcasting language for radio stations must be Greek, and that a certain number of full-term staff must be employed presents a clear violation of the freedom of media and expression of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.

The decision on Tele Radio FM threatens the existence of minority media organizations

ABTTF notes in the study that Law 3592/2007 has already had a negative impact on local and small-scale media companies and that the law threatens the existence of radio organizations belonging to the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. As an example of this issue, the precautionary recommendation for Tele Radio 104.2 FM issued on October 19, 2009 by the National Radio and Television Council was explained in detail in the study. Particularly attention was given to the Council’s expression that if the recommendation was not taken into consideration the Council could resort to tougher sanctions.

In addition, the study notes that the relevant law has been explained in detail in the 4th Country Report on Greece of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). ABTTF notes that the OSCE Representative on the Freedom of Media already expressed his concerns on the relevant law in 2007. Furthermore, ABTTF urges the Greek Government to review Law 3592/2007 in accordance with international standards about the free flow of information and media pluralism and ensure that the diverse and pluralistic media environment is guaranteed in Greece. Furthermore ABTTF requests support and invites relevant international institutions and organizations to act immediately.