The Greek government made a surprise decision to shut down state-run TV and radio and to fire its 2,500 workers as part of austerity measures. The country?s two largest labor unions have called a 24-hour general strike in protest of the closure. Journalist unions have also launched rolling 24-hour strikes. Protesters numbering in the thousands have gathered outside the company?s headquarters. The closure is part of bailout program to cut 15,000 state jobs by 2015. Government officials have stated that an improved public broadcaster would be introduced before the end of summer.
See "Greek state TV closure triggers strikes; journalist protest splits government", The Washington Post, June 11, 2013