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Dateline: Lost in transmission

Staff at Greece's public broadcaster were determined not to be silenced, despite a shut-down mid-broadcast by the troubled government.

Former ERT employees outside the broadcaster's offices in northern Athens. Getty.jpg
Former ERT employees outside the broadcaster's offices. (Getty)

1 min read

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By Ron Sutton


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Back in June, after 70 years of operation, the public broadcaster in Greece suddenly shut down -- the plug pulled by the Greek government.

In mid-broadcast, television screens across the country went black.

Overnight, Greece lost three TV channels, over 20 radio stations, two orchestras and a choir - and 2,600 employees - found themselves out of work.

But the story didn't end there.

Amid huge protests and a political crisis, a five-month stand-off played out, finally reaching an endpoint this month when riot police stormed the studio and ordered workers out.

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Dateline's Amos Roberts was in Athens for the final, dramatic days of the most unusual stand-off.

He spoke with Ron Sutton.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)

 

 


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