Mass Media in Greece: Power, Politics and Privatization

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Greece today is at a critical stage of transition from a traditional, developing nation to a more western-oriented, modern society. The media have mirrored Greece's struggle, and as important tools of political, socioeconomic, and cultural power, they have been at the forefront of the national crisis. In this examination of Greek press, radio and television, Zaharopoulos and Paraschos describe media which have been tremendously politicised, partisan, and dominated by foreign programming. As the political and economic face of Greece and Europe changes, the Greek media have been thrown into anarchy. Zaharopoulos and Paraschos trace the development of the media under different political regimes which have shaped its norms and structures. Historically, governments ranging from military juntas to democratically elected ones, have all been reluctant to share the use of the print media, radio and television, although opposition parties have been successful in loosening the now crumbling government monopoly. The traditionally powerful elements of society have benefitted most from radio and television ownership which, the authors say, will ultimately benefit Greek society as a whole. The authors discuss the Greek mass media's transformation from state control to privatisation as a foreshadowing model of Eastern European media developments. "Mass Media in Greece" should be of particular interest to students of international communication and modern Greece.

Reviews

The text is very well written and is accessible to undergraduates. The information is well annotated and has been updated through spring 1992. The authors' impartial analysis of media and social issues is particularly commendable. Highly recommended for all collections about Greece and international journalism.-Choice
"The text is very well written and is accessible to undergraduates. The information is well annotated and has been updated through spring 1992. The authors' impartial analysis of media and social issues is particularly commendable. Highly recommended for all collections about Greece and international journalism."-Choice

Author Bio

THIMIOS ZAHAROPOULOS is Associate Professor and Director of graduate studies in Communication at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He also taught for two years at the American College of Greece in Athens, and worked briefly in Greek television production. Zaharopoulos' research includes press-related national images, intercultural communication, and the press and foreign policy. MANNY E. PARASCHOS is Professor of Journalism and the first Dean of Emerson College's European Institute for International Communication in Maastricht, the Netherlands. He taught at the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he chaired the Department of Journalism and founded the Journal for Arkansas Journalism Studies and the state's Urban Journalism Workshop for minority high school students. He is the editor of Greece and the American Press.