The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned "state actions that undermine" the right to information in Greece, a European country that has seen a "significant deterioration" in press freedom since conservatives came to power in 2019.

In a report titled "From Bad to Worse," HRW highlights "threats" and "harassment" against journalists, "encouragement of self-censorship," and "increased control" over the media in this European Union country.

Based on 26 interviews with journalists and experts, the report emphasizes that "journalists have been targeted in various ways," including through online harassment campaigns "often organized or encouraged" by pro-government forces.

"The sweeping and deliberate restrictions on journalism in Greece create an environment where critical reporting is silenced and self-censorship becomes the norm," said Hugh Williamson, director for Europe and Central Asia at HRW, quoted by AFP.

HRW recalls the scandal involving the illegal wiretapping of mobile phones using Predator spyware in 2022, which targeted journalists and politicians and tarnished the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Among the financial and legal pressure on the press, the report highlights the abuse of lawsuits (SLAPP) brought by companies and politicians against journalists, recalling that "there are no legal measures against SLAPP in Greece."

The New Democracy (right-wing) government has also used state advertising funds to support pro-government media, the NGO further stresses.

The organization also insists that "the government has failed to guarantee media pluralism" in a country where media concentration is historically very high.

For its part, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Greece 89th in its 2025 world press freedom index, published on May 2, out of 180 countries.

The Mediterranean country also ranks last among the 27 EU countries this year.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution last year expressing "serious concern about the deterioration of the rule of law and media freedom in Greece," HRW recalls.

The Greek government rejected the criticism, describing it as "exaggerated" and lacking concrete evidence.

HRW called for "more decisive action" from the European Commission. | BGNES