Greece

[GR] Audiovisual Regulatory Authority Shuts Down a Radio Station

IRIS 2006-1:1/30

Alexandros Economou

National Council for Radio and Television

On 1 November 2005, the Ethniko Symvoulio Radiotileorasis (the National Council of Radio and Television- ESR) imposed the sanction of definitive suspension of operations, which is the most severe sanction provided for by law, on “Best Radio”, an Athens radio station. The audiovisual regulatory authority found that the language used by a journalist of this music station was vulgar and improper with regard to the audience of this programme (mainly young people) especially in light of the fact it was broadcast at noon, and also taking into account regulations imposing quality prescriptions for such programmes.

One must note that, in this case, ESR did not impose a recommendation or a financial penalty as it used to do for an illegal act committed for the first time by a radio station. This seems to be the reason behind very critical reactions emanating from not only a large number of media organizations but also political parties, which have denounced the ESR's decision as a kind of censorship.

“Best Radio” has already introduced a judicial action against this decision and the Symvoulio tis Epikrateias (High Administrative Court of Greece) has decided to delay the execution of ESR's decision until it has rendered its definitive judgment.