The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have issued the following announcement regarding the suspension of the publication of the daily newspaper “The DAWN”:

“Greece: Sudden closure of the daily paper of the newspaper “AVGI”

On June 26, 2024, the daily edition of the Greek newspaper “AVGI”, was closed by SYRIZA, its main shareholder, without further notice, after 72 years of operation.

The International and European Federation of Journalists (DOD-EOD) stand in full solidarity with the employees of AUGIS and join their voice with the Association of Editors of Athens Daily Newspapers (ESHEA) in condemning the “sudden death” of the daily edition of the historical newspaper and the impact of the decision on its employees.

On June 25, AWGI employees were informed at 4 pm by the Board of Directors of the decision of the President of SYRIZA to close the daily publication the following day, for “financial reasons”.

It was argued that the suspension of the daily paper would allow more resources to be spent on the Sunday edition and the “avgi.gr” website.

This decision affects a total of fifty journalists and approximately twenty employees of other specialties.

The Boards of Directors of the Association of Editors of Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA), the Athens Daily Newspaper Staff Union (EPIEA) and the Athens Daily and Magazine Press Technicians Union (ETIPTA) have decided to declare a 24-hour strike, from 6 am. of June 26 until 6 a.m. of June 27 in the newspaper “AVGI” and on the website “avgi.gr”.

“AUGHI” was first launched in August 1952 as a news Media of the United Democratic Left, initially as a weekly and then as a daily newspaper. It is the first time in these 72 years that its circulation has been interrupted.

“When we learned of the suspension, effective the next day, we were shocked. We had no idea about the closure, it was planned without consultation or information. They did not give us any information or guarantees about our jobs in the future. All we want now is a guarantee of securing jobs and being able to do our jobs“, Nikos Morfonios, representative of AVGI’s journalists at ESIEA, told EOD. “In our opinion, the closure is clearly a political decision. They want to silence the voice of the left wing,” Morfonios added.

“The SYRIZA leader made an unprecedented decision on the historic newspaper, without informing workers or unions. Although they will keep the Sunday edition, the future of the historic newspaper and its employees is unknown“, said Maria Antoniadou, President of ESIEA.

In its announcement, ESIEA pointed out that “similar attempts had been made in the past but met with a strong reaction from the workers and any plans to suspend the issue were thwarted».

According to AVGI, the newspaper’s Board of Directors also legally recognized, in 2017, a debt of 800,000 euros to the employees, in arrears from wages paid over the last 15 years.

Nikos Morfonios explained that the amount has increased by 300,000 euros since 2017.

The workers said they would go on continuous 24-hour strikes until at least Friday, June 28.

“Such an interruption of the daily publication of the historical publication, without due respect for labor rights, is a blatant attack against the workers of AWGI and raises concerns about the pluralism of the media. We call on the leadership of SYRIZA to reconsider its position, consult transparently with unions and workers and guarantee respect for their labor rights, committing also to debt repayment“, said DOD and EOD.