Greek workers go on strike due to closure of state television and radio

A 24-hour general strike is taking place in Greece against the closure of state radio and television by the authorities, reports the BBC .

The strike was called by the General Confederation of Labor and the Supreme Council of the Civil Servants' Union in solidarity with the 2,665 employees of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation who were abruptly fired this week. Workers from various fields take part in it - doctors, teachers, transport workers, tax specialists and many others. Air traffic controllers will go on strike for two hours during the day. Naturally, media workers are taking part in the strike. Those journalists who were fired began the protest yesterday and do not intend to limit it to 24 hours.

On June 11, it became known that the Greek authorities decided to close the state television and radio broadcasting corporation in order to save money. By the end of summer they are going to create a new, now private media structure, which will be significantly smaller than the previous one.

The authorities' actions against journalists were sharply condemned by the Greek Orthodox Church, which usually avoids interfering in politics in every possible way.

The Greek State Broadcasting Corporation began broadcasting in 1938. It is financed by the population of the country, which pays 4.3 euros monthly for radio and television on bills that come with utility bills.