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Editorial The closure of the Greek state broadcaster by the austerity driven government of Antonis Samaras in Greece received the plaudits of the Financial Times for the Greek prime minister's "spectacular" move; but saving millions in Euro's in salaries by closing ERT risks the democratic future of Greece. ERT was a wasteful institution with some of its top anchors receiving hundreds of thousands of Euro's per month for reading a 2 hour bulletin each day. Many of the appointments were driven by political patronage, rather than merit, and it was a "good old jolly" if you got in on the act. This for sure cannot be disputed. But what Antonis Samaras has forgotten or cared to ignore, is that democracy in Greece today is on very weak ground. The growth of neo-Nazi groups in Greece is no fluke. The Greeks are entertaining extremism because main stream political and media establishment has failed to provide them what they require; jobs, certainty and stability. By closing ERT the Greek government risks undermining the weak state system that exists in Greece now, with private media groups run by political driven moguls setting the news agenda. Moreover it’s time now the Greek political establishment started looking at itself and to make credible reforms that will make Greece a place where companies can invest and create jobs. ERT was a national broadcaster with reach across the globe serving the many million Greeks in the Diaspora, who ironically can be drivers for a Greek revival. What Greek now has the confidence to invest money in a country that sees its government closing down its state broadcaster over-night? The Greeks now need cool heads, clear thinking and to make the right choices. Closing ERT was a wrong decision, with only negative outcomes.
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