greece launches private tv tender amid controversy
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

Greece launches private TV tender amid controversy

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Greece launches private TV tender amid controversy

Critics of Greece's television overhaul say it is a ploy by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Athens - AFP

Greece on Tuesday launched a multi-million euro auction for four private TV licences, a process originally due two decades ago and now marked by political infighting.

Eight groups are vying for the four 10-year nationwide licences, with opening bids starting at three million euros ($3.4 million).

Their representatives will be locked up in an office building with no outside communication until the process is complete, a move prompting angry protests from TV managers.

Authorities say they want to clean up an industry known for workforce exploitation and rumoured under-the-table deals between media moguls, bankers and influential politicians, while bringing an end to 25 years of chaotic licensing.

Government officials have noted that ever since private TV broadcasts began in Greece, channels have been allowed to operate on provisional licenses renewed 15 times since 1995.

And a contract for Greece's digital TV provider was concluded two years ago with just one contestant, they note.

But critics say the overhaul is merely a ploy by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to replace established TV barons -- who have opposed his leftist Syriza party in the past -- with others more to his liking.

- Mattress in tow -


Six of the eight groups participating in the auction have raised objections about the process.

The first private channel to hit the air in 1989, Mega, has already been eliminated from the tender over outstanding debts.

The first-ever tender is held under unprecedented security inside the state ministry of information in Athens.

The six-floor building was emptied of staff last week and bunk beds moved in for what looks to be a two-day process.

Rival TV representatives were shown arriving early Tuesday with luggage. One had a mattress in tow.

They are to be kept in complete isolation, and under closed-circuit TV surveillance, to prevent arranged bids. 

They are not to leave the building or communicate with the outside world until the process is concluded.

One TV manager called the conditions "humiliating" while another said stations were being "held to ransom".

Skai TV has sarcastically likened the procedure to reality TV show "Survivor".

Others have called it "Big Brother with TV chiefs".

Greece's top administrative court on Friday turned down a request by several of the channels to block the process.

The government has said stations that continue broadcast nationwide without a license will be blocked three months after the auction is concluded.

 

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

greece launches private tv tender amid controversy greece launches private tv tender amid controversy



GMT 03:33 2016 Saturday ,24 September

Diesel Black Gold fashion show during Milan Fashion Week

GMT 11:12 2018 Wednesday ,03 October

Osaka saunters into China Open third round

GMT 03:18 2017 Tuesday ,10 January

Home Centre decides to go in for a fresh look

GMT 14:44 2017 Saturday ,06 May

Pharmaceutical industry

GMT 22:32 2016 Wednesday ,24 February

'Deadpool' upends competition at North America box office

GMT 06:44 2017 Friday ,17 March

Bowling, table tennis achievements lauded

GMT 18:11 2017 Saturday ,04 March

Violence claims lives of 18 people across Syria

GMT 11:50 2017 Tuesday ,03 October

Bahrain weather forecast

GMT 12:18 2016 Friday ,30 September

To the importance of Oscar Wilde
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday