Publications

Papathanassopoulos, S. (2024). The Greek media in the Metapolitefsi (Restoration of Hellenic Democracy) In Nicolaides, H. (ed.). Achievements and crises of Metapolitefsi (Restoration of Hellenic Democracy), challenges for the future. Dianeosis: Athens (in Greek).

This paper examines the transformation of the Greek media landscape since the Metapolitefsi period (1974-1989), highlighting its shift from a state-controlled system to a fragmented yet politically dependent one. This evolution unfolded through three major phases: the end of the state monopoly, the rise of the internet, and the impact of the 2010 economic crisis. After the fall of the military junta in 1974, Greece’s media began modernizing. The most pivotal change came in the late 1980s with the deregulation and privatization of television, ending the state’s exclusive control over broadcasting. This led to the rapid growth of private TV channels and radio stations, fragmenting the media market and increasing competition for audiences and advertising. This expansion also influenced print media, which had flourished after the lifting of censorship in 1974.

A core characteristic of the Greek media system is its ongoing entanglement with political and business interests. Despite privatization, media outlets rarely operated independently; instead, they often functioned as tools for political parties and propaganda. The oversupply of media and weak market conditions made outlets heavily reliant on state support, political patronage, and backing from wealthy business owners, who used media as leverage to advance their agendas and exert political influence.

The arrival of the internet and the 2010 financial crisis exposed the fragility of Greek media. The crisis sharply reduced advertising revenue, pushing many outlets toward collapse. Heavily indebted and with unsustainable business models, media companies became even more vulnerable to external influence as they sought financial support. Meanwhile, audiences increasingly turned to social media and digital platforms, further destabilizing traditional media.