Greece

[GR] New law implementing EMFA rules and strengthening the public broadcaster

IRIS 2026-1:1/15

Alexandros Oikonomou

National Council for Radio and Television

A new law, Law 5253/2025 – related to the application of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA – Regulation 2024/1083 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024) and to the public broadcaster ERT S.A. – was passed by the Greek Parliament on 20 November 2025.

As for the implementing provisions of the EMFA regulation, the new responsibility of the independent media regulator NCRT (National Council of Radio and Television) to publish an annual report on the allocation of state advertising, providing an overall picture of public spending and based on the published spending of each media outlet via its website (Article 25, paragraph 3 EMFA), is of great interest.

Other provisions ensure the independence of journalists in the performance of their duties, while all media outlets (including online ones) are required to publish their ownership details (direct or indirect owners and beneficial owners).

It is noted that the new law does not contain provisions on two essential issues within the remit of the NCRT: the creation of a national database for all media outlets (including printed newspapers and websites) (Article 6, paragraph 3 EMFA) and the assessment of media market concentrations with an impact on pluralism (Article 22 EMFA). The Greek Government announced that these issues will soon be regulated by law.

Regarding ERT, regulations are provided, inter alia, to improve the collectability of the contribution fee; meanwhile, a harmonised framework is being formed for ERT's corporate social responsibility, performance incentives are being provided to its staff and compliance with the latest laws on corporate governance of public limited companies is being attempted.

The provision stipulating that the competent minister should select the chair of the board of directors and the managing director of ERT from among the three most prominent candidates that have emerged from the procedure before another independent authority (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection) sparked heated debates in parliament. According to opposition parties, it is doubtful whether the law is in accordance with the provisions of the EMFA, which stipulate that the relevant procedure is carried out by "mechanisms free from political influence by governments" (Article 5, paragraph 4).

Finally, the law establishes the "Hellenic Media Council", an "independent self-regulatory mechanism", a National Strategy for Media Education and a National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists.