Greek private TV station employees protest against licenses tender

Hundreds of journalists, technicians and administration employees in Greek private TV stations held a symbolic rally outside the parliament and the prime minister's office on Monday, protesting against the licenses tender the government run this autumn.

Four nationwide TV licenses were auctioned off in early September for first time in three decades in a process that will bring 246 million euros (274 million U.S. dollars) to state coffers.

The government argued the move would clear the media landscape of financially unsustainable groups owned by "corrupt businessmen" who were making under-the-table deals with political parties.

Unions argued that at least 2,000 employees stand to lose their jobs in the country already suffering from high unemployment rates, protesting for job security.

Approximately 500 protesters participated in the rally outside the parliament and about 200 managed to reach the official seat of the prime minister, despite police blockades.

In solidarity with the employees working at TV stations Alpha, Ant1, Makedonia, Mega, Skai, Star and Epsilon, the unions representing Greek journalists and technicians held a five-hour work stoppage on Monday.

State Minister Nikos Pappas and government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassilis said the government launched the tender to ensure that TV channels no longer rely on bank loans and privileged ties with politicians to stay afloat.

A ruling by the State of Council, the country's highest administrative court, on the issue is still pending.

The court convened on Sept. 30 to consider the appeals of television channels against the constitutionality of the auction, but the session was suspended following a disagreement between judges about how to proceed. A date for the next court hearing has not been set. Enditem