Peter's Viewpoint

A show that I consider to be at the top of Greek TV is Radio Arvilla.

It provides entertainment while at the same time information that is the zeitgeist of the modern Greek lifestyle.  Anyone that reads history also knows that when it comes to the media and politics there will always be sarcasm.

Antonis Kanakis and his crew of Radio Arvilla, also known as AMAN, have been unfairly penalized for defamation of character Mr. Tzavaras by the president of ESR the NCRTV in the amount of 50,000 euros.

Antonis Kanakis retorted “We live in a country where criticism to practice in politics through journalism, satirical or any kind anyway, emissions deemed objectionable.”

Supposedly Mr. Tzavaras, one of the ministers of New Democracy, invoked the lawsuit but ultimately made no complaint contrary to the official complaint by the president of ESR.

Here is the not so well translation of the Greek article regarding Mr. Tzavaras denying the claims of the ESR.

Here is the not so well translation of the Greek article regarding Mr. Tzavaras debunking the defamation and criticizing the lack of transparency by the ESR, the NCRTV.

Antonis Kanakis says "The reaction of the ESR is not just excessive, it is undemocratic, it is challenging."

The Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV) is an independent administrative authority that supervises and regulates the radio/television market, founded in 1989. It is a seven-member body, consisting of a President, a Vice President and five members, all appointed by the Greek Parliament.

They claim to be the council of transparency for the government but as their members are appointed by the Greek Parliament, their independence can be questioned.

Although Mr. Tzavaras has cleared Radio Arvilla of any legal liability, the ESR demands that the penalty be paid.

Give ‘em hell Radio Arvilla!