After the "blockade" of the European Union on Russian media Sputnik and RT, accused of being Moscow's "disinformation" tools in its war against Ukraine, the Greek bureau of Sputnik is closed, leaving dozens of journalists, reporters and administrative staff out of work within 24 hours.
The workers issued a statement calling it an attempt by European institutions to control what is broadcast under the pretext of stopping "propaganda". At the same time, they say, "they choose a return to the Middle Ages, they choose a neo-macartelism, creating dangerous legacies for the future of the press."
Employees' statement
"The Sputnik newsroom is writing its last article and it is nothing but a bitter and unfair farewell to the "blackout" of a site that employed dozens of employees who were suddenly left without a "voice" and a job.
The Greece of "democracy", the Europe of "rights and freedom", has closed Sputnik. Among them was Sputnik, which was operating in Greece and where journalists, reporters, administrative staff worked and every day with passion and faith worked very hard to inform everyone.
Under the threat of severe sanctions and with masterfully designed methods of technological and financial gagging, Europe and Greece do not allow Sputnik to continue its operation.
Under the pretext of stopping "propaganda", European institutions and governments show what they really want: To control what will be broadcast, which news is the right news and which should be cut off, disappear
By identifying the workers with the financier of each medium.
By identifying the workers with the financier of each medium. At the same time, of course, they are making a choice that is extremely dangerous for the future of the peoples of Europe: They are choosing a return to the Middle Ages, they are choosing a neo-macartelism, creating dangerous legacies for the future of the press. In Greece, despite the experience of the "blackout" at ERT in 2013, journalists' bodies and associations were silenced, disappeared.
Individual journalists, citizens and even political parties spoke about the "blackout" at Sputnik, condemned this undemocratic decision, spoke about the blow to press freedom.
Associations are still conferring or - even worse - are silent.
Associations are still conferring or - even worse - are silent.
Associations are still silent. So be it, and when the time comes, let them ask themselves: Who was finally on the right side of history and how much responsibility they bear for the fact that dozens of their colleagues found themselves out of work within a few 24 hours.
The employees of Sputnik Greece."
Source: newsbeast.gr
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