The United States State Department has released its annual Human Rights Report, which includes findings on press freedom in Greece during 2024. While the report praises constitutional protections for free expression and acknowledges recent improvements, it also points to lingering concerns.
According to the assessment, Greece’s constitution and laws safeguard freedom of speech, and the government generally respected this right. The report notes that the country maintains an independent judiciary and a functioning democratic system that support these protections. Importantly, it stresses that “the government did not censor the media.”
However, it also highlights challenges. Some major media outlets reportedly avoided publishing unfavorable stories, which humanitarian groups linked to pressure from media owners, concerns over job security, or fears of criminal defamation. The report cites two notable cases: one involving a dismissed court case and another of a physical assault on a journalist by an unknown assailant.
The document also refers to domestic and international organizations that have voiced concerns about pressure on journalists to avoid criticizing the government or reporting on scandals. Even so, it acknowledges that complaints of journalist harassment decreased, referencing the European Commission’s latest Rule of Law report, which recognized progress in Greece.
Specific reforms by the Greek government were noted positively. These include the creation of a Task Force for journalist safety, the abolition of simple defamation as a criminal offense, stronger penalties for attacks on media professionals, and steps to combat abusive lawsuits known as SLAPPs. Other measures included setting up a monitoring body for such cases, introducing protections for sports journalists, and boosting transparency through mandatory media registries.
Additionally, Greece’s adoption of the European Media Freedom Act in March 2024 was praised as a step toward safeguarding media pluralism and editorial independence.
Beyond media freedom, the State Department’s report also covers other human rights issues in Greece, including labor rights, freedom of association, and personal security.
