Journalists targeted in Greece bombings

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Published time: January 11, 2013 18:51
Edited time: January 12, 2013 02:06

A resident stands next to the burnt entrance of a building following a series of arson attacks against journalists in Athens January 11, 2013. (Reuters/John Kolesidis)

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Blast, Crime, Greece, Mass media, Police

Homemade bombs have exploded at the homes of five journalists from major media outlets in Athens. Police are linking the attacks to the current economic crisis in the country and the way the mainstream media have reported it.

The devices, made of gas canisters, exploded outside residences in different areas of Athens. The explosions caused minor damage to the buildings’ entrances, but no one was injured.

Among the bomb targets, the editor of the state-run Athens News Agency, two journalists employed by state broadcaster NET and two presenters from the private Mega television channel.

The outlets singled out- either state-run or controlled by some of the country's leading business groups- have traditionally been seen by leftist groups as closely tied to Greece's political establishment.

"We believe the attacks are related to the latest economic developments and the way the journalists present the facts," a police official, who preferred to be unnamed, told Reuters.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the explosions.

The blasts were the first coordinated attack against media workers since the debt crisis in Greece erupted in 2009.

Dogs stand at the burnt entrance of a building following a series of arson attacks against journalists in Athens January 11, 2013. (Reuters/John Kolesidis)

“As we can understand, it was a message to them, because there were minor damages in front of their houses. It was a message to media and also some journalists to change the way they show the news about the economy crisis,” contributor for the Eleftheros Typos newspaper, Manolis Kostidis, told RT.

The Greek government has already condemned the attacks.

"This is an attempt to openly terrorize the media, a vital part of our democracy," said the coalition government's spokesman Simos Kedikoglou.

Greece is struggling through a sixth year of recession, with unemployment recently hitting the highest rate in the EU. It’s believed to have fuelled anger against foreign lenders, the wealthy elite and mainstream media – viewed by many Greeks as close to the political classes.

“Of course, as a media worker I don’t like these attacks and also I am afraid, because you never know what could happen one day in front of your home. From one way you have the government, from the other way you have the anarchist groups. And the third way is people in the streets. So, we have to be careful about the way we are presenting the news. It’s not really easy to be a journalist in Greece at this period,” added Kostidis.

Late last year some Greek state television staff were seen confronting government figures, as journalists began work stoppages to protest what they called increasing government censorship. Several media workers were fired.

Comments (17)

Greeks are tired of the propaganda...Who can blame them? (unregistered) 13.01.2013 02:35

@ Darian

You are obviously some ignorant bigot (maybe a Turk, maybe a German, maybe a journalist, maybe all three). Your attitude towards Greeks is sick. Perhaps a Greek guy once pulled your underwear ove r your face, and made cry like a little girl.... I don't know..... BUT I do know a few Greek Americans and they are some of the most decent hard-working people I've ever met.....Unlike U.S. Muslims, they don't crowd the lazy jobs like taxi-driving or running convenient� �stores......and unlike Germans, Greeks are not enormous liars about their work ethic...

For the most part Greeks mind their own business and love their families and culture. Germans and Turks on the other hand, have proved to be greedy, dishonest aggressors repeatedly throughout history and nothing has changed to this day. In any case, this economic melt-down is not about Greek work habits but about NATO exploitation.

German bankers should be taken to International Criminal Court for loan-sharking and fraud. Every loan officer in charge of dispensing loans has a duty to his customer to deny loans to those who cannot afford the terms. The Germans obviously dispensed irresponsible loans with the idea of blackmail & fraud.

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sapientium 12.01.2013 15:27

I do believe everyone is missing the real point to any of this. There will be lies told by governments, organizations and individuals alike, to think otherwise should be considered naive. No government, organization or individual is above or beyond this practice. It is what it is. That being said, there is an abundant amount of room for improvement on all fronts. Anyone trying to take the high ground and condeming said practice are themselves liars in some way or fashion. Bias is high on the scale depending on your situation, belief system or opinions. Those who promote violence and chaos will always find others who enjoy the same. Peacekeepers will always be made to make concessions in order to maintain that peace and in turn will become violent in order to achieve that goal. Thus, turning them into part of the problem. It's a no win situation right from the start.The only way to stop all this nonsense, is to first and foremost have respect for all living things. Of course, we, as a species, are probably the least likely to succeed in this endeavor due to our continued ability to lie, cheat and steal. Nonetheless, the effort should be made in all arenas to strive for this goal. Quite frankly, everyone seems intent on acting like spoilled children screamming " I want, I want, I want!"If you don't think it's the truth, please re-read what i have written.

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SouthSideShooter (unregistered) 12.01.2013 13:18

Knowing that country it's surprise. The whole place is falling apart
and it's clear why. Their lack of work ethic and greed is why the nation is in
the place it's in. It's not because the media is trying to keep their people informed and things varied as their media could anyway.
Greeks are dumber and lazier than people knew and this is just another sign
of what everyone knew. Good idea to not let them leave and make them accept their responsibility.
I t's just a bit much to think anyone else will suddenly believe their claims it's Merkel's fault. They were fine and happy to go along with the Eurozone before except when their greed and stupidity caught up to them. No sympathy.

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