That Greece’s largest-selling daily newspaper Ta Nea (established in 1931) and DOL’s flagship Sunday newspaper To Vima (established in 1922) have suspended publication has sent shock waves through society and the media. It is a turning point in the long-term economic decline of the Greek media, which have been hard hit by the crisis. The decline has coincided with the more recent drive of the Syriza/Independent Greeks (Anel) coalition government for media control. Last month, DOL owner Stavros Psycharis, who faces charges of tax evasion and money laundering, appealed to the board of Syriza party newspaper Avgi for help.
The government's efforts to control the media will undermine the anti-establishment rhetoric it employed before coming to power.
Long-term dependence on bank loans and tax breaks and economic decline will aggravate the media’s lack of independence.
DOL’s troubles will have wider ramifications as it holds shares in the popular Mega TV channel.
If government attempts to control more of the media fail, it will show that checks and balances still exist in Greece’s democracy.
