A European Parliament committee investigating the use of spyware by EU governments has raised concerns about the Greek government’s surveillance practices involving independent journalists and an opposition leader. The committee’s rapporteur, Sophie in ‘t Veld, highlighted issues such as journalists’ safety, pressure on Greece’s data protection authority, and the misuse of national security justifications for surveillance during a recent visit to Athens.
The issue at hand involves the infringement of privacy and freedom of expression, impacting media freedom and violating the confidentiality of journalistic sources, a right protected under the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This type of surveillance can negatively affect the functioning of journalism in a democratic society.
Independent journalist Stavros Malichudis shared with Human Rights Watch how the surveillance, conducted by Greece’s intelligence service EYP, impacted his work and personal life. He discovered he was under surveillance in November 2021.
The Greek parliament initiated an inquiry into the surveillance scandal in September. However, the inquiry, led by the ruling New Democracy party, has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and inclusiveness. Key figures, including the head of EYP, the Prime Minister, and journalists affected by the wiretapping, were not included as witnesses by the ruling party. Additionally, the inquiry’s proceedings and its final report have been kept confidential, which has raised further concerns regarding transparency.
The situation in Greece reflects broader issues concerning media freedom and the rule of law in the country. Greece experienced a significant drop in the Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 press freedom index, becoming the lowest-ranked EU country in this regard. This decline is indicative of an increasingly challenging environment for civil society in Greece.
There is a pressing need for Greek authorities to rebuild trust in the journalistic process, ensuring freedom from government interference. This could involve opening up the Greek parliamentary inquiry, collaborating with the European Parliament’s investigation, and enforcing strict human rights safeguards before any procurement or use of spyware by government agencies.
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