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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2502(RSP))

On the rule of law and media freedom in Greece

B-9-2024-0098

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Cyrus Engerer, Sylvie Guillaume, Evin Incir, Domènec Ruiz Devesa

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on the rule of law and media freedom in Greece expresses severe concerns about threats to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, and about pressure on checks and balances. It raises the unsolved murder of journalist George Karaivaz, threats and lawsuits against journalists, spyware use, and pressure on independent authorities such as the ADAE and the data protection authority. It calls for safeguards against spyware, repeal of export licences not in line with the Dual-Use Regulation, reversal of the 2019 change placing the EYP under the Prime Minister, and Europol involvement. It asks Greece to ensure the independence of the audiovisual regulator, address media ownership concentration and state advertising transparency, and implement European Court of Human Rights judgments. It calls for action on police violence, corruption, the Pylos shipwreck and pushbacks, attacks on civil society, the Tempi train disaster investigation, and restrictions on NGOs. It urges the Commission to use the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation and the Common Provisions Regulation to address breaches of Article 2 TEU values in Greece.

Key points

  1. Expresses severe concerns about very serious threats to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Greece, and notes that checks and balances have come under heavy pressure.
  2. Is deeply concerned by the lack of progress in the investigation into the murder of journalist George Karaivaz, urges a thorough investigation and Europol assistance.
  3. Is alarmed that journalists face physical threats, verbal attacks, spyware violations and SLAPPs, calls for these SLAPPs to be dropped and for a safe environment for journalists.
  4. Expresses deep concern about excessive police force against minority groups and peaceful protesters, including killings of young Roma and the acquittal of officers in the death of Zak Kostopoulos.
  5. Calls on the government to ensure the full independence of the national audiovisual regulator, and stresses that media pluralism is under threat from ownership concentration and non-transparent state subsidies.
  6. Calls for safeguards and oversight against spyware, repeal of export licences not in line with the Dual-Use Regulation, reversal of the 2019 amendment placing the EYP under the Prime Minister, and Europol involvement.
  7. Notes with concern pressure on the ADAE and the data protection authority, and the sudden replacement of the ADAE board in 2023 before a decision to fine the EYP.
  8. Calls on Greece to withdraw amendment 826/145 to Law No 2472/1997 and to restore the independence of the judiciary and oversight bodies such as the Ombudsman and the DPA.
  9. Expresses concern about underfunding, opaque appointments and intimidation of independent bodies, and about the transfer of the spyware investigation to another prosecutor.
  10. Condemns intimidation of officials scrutinising the government, and stresses that corruption erodes public services and that high-level corruption cases lack a track record of final convictions.
  11. Calls for reforms to improve police capacity and transparency on organised crime, full implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments, and measures on judicial appointments.
  12. Calls for action on the Pylos shipwreck, pushbacks and reception conditions, attacks on civil society, the Tempi train disaster investigation, NGO restrictions, equality and LGBTIQ+ rights, and better law-making.

Who is affected

  • Greece and its government, which is asked to adopt reforms, drop charges and restore the independence of oversight bodies.
  • Journalists and media outlets in Greece, who face threats, spyware, SLAPPs and non-transparent state advertising.
  • Independent authorities such as the ADAE, the DPA, the Ombudsman and the NTA, which the resolution says face pressure and underfunding.
  • Migrants, asylum seekers and humanitarian workers, affected by pushbacks, detention and criminal charges.
  • LGBTIQ+ people, Roma and other minorities, facing discrimination, police violence and gaps in protection.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 20 million of state funds distributed among media outlets for public health communication campaigns in the Petsas List scandal.
  • At least 270 funded media outlets found not properly and lawfully registered, with losses exceeding EUR 3 million.
  • Compensation of EUR 550 000 sought in lawsuits against EFSYN, Reporters United and individual journalists.
  • Fine of EUR 435 000 imposed on the weekly newspaper Documento News by the tax authorities in December 2023.
  • EUR 700 million in subsidies for a rail safety system under investigation by the EPPO, with 23 people arrested.
  • 92 people targeted by Predator spyware, including national members of parliament and MEPs, journalists and government officials.
  • Over 600 persons on board a fishing boat presumed dead in the shipwreck of 14 June 2023 off Pylos.
  • Greece scored 58 points out of 100 and ranked 24th in the EU in the 2023 gender equality index.

Legal basis: Articles 2, 4(3) and 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union.