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Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece

TA-9-2024-0069 · P9_TA(2024)0069 · PE756.840

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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 of 7 February 2024 sets out concerns about the rule of law and media freedom in Greece and asks the Greek authorities and the Commission to act. It calls for thorough investigations into the murder of journalist George Karaivaz, police violence, the Pylos shipwreck and the Tempi train disaster, and for charges against humanitarian workers to be dropped. It demands safeguards against spyware, the reversal of the 2019 change placing the EYP under the Prime Minister, and the independence of oversight bodies such as the ADAE, the DPA and the Ombudsman. It asks the Commission to use the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation and the Common Provisions Regulation to assess Greece's compliance with the Charter and the values of Article 2 TEU.

Key points

  1. Parliament expresses severe concerns about threats to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Greece, saying checks and balances are under heavy pressure.
  2. It urges the Greek authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder of journalist George Karaivaz and to request Europol's assistance.
  3. It calls for SLAPPs against journalists to be dropped and for the government to bring perpetrators of crimes against journalists to justice.
  4. It calls for independent investigations into excessive police force, including the deaths of three young Roma and of activist Zak Kostopoulos.
  5. It calls on the government to ensure the full independence of the national audiovisual regulator and on the Commission to monitor media law No 5005/2022 on ownership transparency.
  6. On spyware, it demands safeguards and oversight, repeal of export licences not in line with the Dual-Use Regulation, reversal of the 2019 EYP amendment, and Europol involvement in investigations.
  7. It calls for the withdrawal of amendment 826/145 to Law No 2472/1997 and for the full independence of the judiciary, the Ombudsman and the DPA.
  8. It condemns intimidation of officials scrutinising the government, including Eleni Touloupaki and Christos Rammos, and concerns about corruption and impunity.
  9. It calls for reforms to improve police capacity and transparency in investigating organised crime, including alleged links between organised crime and the police.
  10. It calls for full implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments and interim measures, and notes no measures on judicial participation in appointing top judicial offices.
  11. It raises concerns about the Pylos shipwreck investigation, pushbacks, reception conditions, and calls for a broader mandate for the Fundamental Rights Officer at the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
  12. It calls for swift judicial investigation into the Tempi train disaster, lifting restrictions on NGOs and journalists reporting on migration, and action on LGBTIQ+, Roma and minority rights, rape crisis centres and marriage equality.

Who is affected

  • Greece and its government, which is asked to adopt reforms, drop charges and ensure the independence of oversight bodies.
  • Journalists and media outlets in Greece, who face threats, spyware and SLAPPs.
  • Migrants, asylum seekers and humanitarian workers, affected by pushbacks, detention and prosecutions.
  • LGBTIQ+ people, Roma and other minorities, facing discrimination and violence.
  • The Commission, which is asked to assess compliance with EU law and use the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation.

Figures and deadlines

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

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