Letter to the government of Greece

Sirs,

Independence is a fundamental precondition for the trustworthiness of a news agency in a democratic society. The Board of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) has noted that the earlier discussion about discontinuing the operations of Athens News Agency (ANA) seems to be a phase passed. However, the Greek government has in a recent proposal included changes that could lead to misunderstandings concerning ANA´s independence as a news provider to traditional and new media in Greece and abroad.

ANA´s present statutes stipulate that he majority of Board members must be appointed by non-government bodies. This is an example respected and often referred to in international discussions about how to secure the independence and trustworthiness of a publicly owned news agency.

EANA comprises news agencies in 30 European countries and serves as a forum for cooperation and information for the news agency business. The news agency business constitutes the very basics of news gathering and distribution and has to be seen as a backbone of true and unbiased news reporting in a democracy. It is a business that needs a healthy environment abounding in freedom of the press, fair competition and simple and basic rules to operate.

News agencies working in accordance with the principles of press freedom and unbiased news are of major importance to the democratic society. To secure an economic and legal environment for news agencies operating in accordance with these rules is therefore one of EANA´s main concerns.

We understand the urgent situation under which Greece is working. However, an independent news agency plays an even more essential role for democracy in a critical situation as Greece is in today.

We therefore urge you to make sure that the changes proposed by the government do not in any aspect undermine the agency´s independence and thereby trustworthiness as a news provider to media in Greece and abroad.

Best regards,

Peter Kropsch, CEO of news agency APA, Vienna and President of EANA, Clive Marshall, CEO of news agency Press Association, London, Jiri Majstr, CEO of news agency CTK, Prague, George Penintaex, CEO of news agency CNA, Nicosia, Erik Nylen, Secretary General, EANA

For more information please contact Erik Nylen, Secretary General, EANA, email: erik-n@telia.com, mobile +46 739 865272