SUSPENSION OF GREEK STATE BROADCASTER

Early day motion 235, tabled 12 June 2013 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House regrets the Greek government’s decision to suspend the Greek state broadcaster, ERT; notes that the broadcaster is funded through a €5 monthly contribution by the average citizen through their electricity bill; further notes that the last time the broadcaster was suspended was when the Colonels took power in the late 1960s; further notes that ERT is protected by the Greek constitution under the freedom of speech and freedom of press provisions; further notes the Greek parliament did not have a say in the matter; believes that it would be wrong for the prime minister to close ERT down without changing the constitution or consulting parliament and his coalition partners; and expresses its concern that Greece now only has private broadcasters.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1, Respect 1.