The unexpected closure of public broadcaster ERT by the Greek government last month sparked passionate reactions from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) across the political spectrum in Strasbourg on Wednesday (3 July).

 While the views expressed were diverse, a clear consensus emerged on the need to reform Greek public broadcasting and return it to air for the sake of democracy and media pluralism.

Influential Culture and Education Committee Chair Doris Pack identified a clear role for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in helping to restore public broadcasting in Greece. 

 “Get the EBU involved,” Ms Pack said. “It has the experience to help. The new Greek Secretary of State has invited the EBU to discuss the reform process – a process that should foster editorial independence, transparency and clear financing rules for the Greek public broadcaster.”

Belgian MEP Ivo Belet, who authored the European Parliament’s 2010 Resolution on the dual broadcasting system told parliament that a dual broadcasting system with both public and private media is ‘crucial’ for democracy. “Public broadcasting in Greece will be reborn from the ashes like a Phoenix,” he said.

Romanian MEP Renate Weber cited her recent report on Standard Setting for Media Pluralism, and drew attention to the obligation of governments to support public service media as a means of upholding the right of citizens to information, adding: “I urge the European Commission to act now and protect public broadcasters before it is too late.”

European Commissioner for Inter institutional relations and administration, Maroš Šefčovič, meantime maintained that the EU Executive had not sought the closure of ERT to fulfil its austerity obligations.

“The decision on how to rationalize public service in Greece is a decision for the Greek government,” he said. “EBU advice will help in the process. The new Greek broadcaster will be re-established soon and this is good news.”

Several MEPs from the same political group as Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras avowed that a reformed system of public broadcasting would return to Greece, defending the action, described by Greek opposition member Dimitrios Doutras, as a "political own goal".

At a hearing in Strasbourg organized earlier in the week by the Greens / European Free Alliance political group, EBU Head of European Affairs Nicola Frank outlined three key principles to guide the reform process:

• A clear and accurate definition of the public service remit that is adapted to the new media environment and enshrined in national legislation;
• Open and transparent governance reflecting the public service media remit to serve all parts of the society;
• Sufficient, appropriate and long-term funding.

“We call for urgent action to immediately set up interim services and re-establish public service programming, making use of existing facilities and staff. We understand that negotiations are currently going on and hope that they will lead as soon as possible to a solution and Public Service Media will be put back on air,” Ms Frank said.

“The EBU has offered its expertise to the Greek Government, in reaching short and long term solutions to provide an independent and sustainable public service media. In the meantime we continue to transmit and web stream ERT programmes via the EBU facilities. And again, your political support is vital to put PSM back on air.”

Green MEP Isabelle Durant, who co-organised the hearing, concluded by suggesting the pursuit of discussions in autumn 2013.