The issue of press freedom in Greece has come under significant scrutiny following the release of a comprehensive report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), which outlines a worrying trend of media suppression since the New Democracy party ascended to power in July 2019. The findings are based on detailed interviews with journalists, academics, legal experts, and civil society actors, documenting a variety of tactics employed to stifle critical journalism.
The report, “From Bad to Worse: The Deterioration of Media Freedom in Greece,” highlights the use of sophisticated spyware such as Predator spyware on journalists’ devices, pervasive online harassment, and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) under local defamation and data protection laws. Furthermore, HRW mentions the biased distribution of state advertising budgets benefiting pro-government media outlets and notes editorial interferences faced by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).
In response, the Greek government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has defended its record, referring to the European Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report and ongoing legal reforms as evidence of positive steps. Despite these, Greece’s defamation laws continue to impose criminal penalties, and national security is frequently cited to restrict information access.
Greece’s position on the global stage is reflected in its ranking of 89th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. Additionally, the European Parliament has also voiced its concerns about the country’s media suppression and democratic regression.
HRW has recommended several measures including adopting anti-SLAPP legislation, securing public media independence, and implementing protections against journalist surveillance. Moreover, they urge entities such as the European Union and the United Nations to demand Athens uphold international human-rights obligations. The rights group cautions that failure to address these issues could result in a media environment where dissenting voices are further marginalized, thereby threatening the public’s right to diverse information.
For a more detailed exploration of this developing situation, view the original report here.