Constructing Silence: Processes of Journalistic (Self-)Censorship during Memoranda in Greece, Cyprus, and Spain

Abstract

What are to be considered as threats against journalism? Whereas the literature on safety of journalists mainly discusses threats as part of armed conflicts, this article studies how other kinds of conflicts such as economic strangulation and the viability threat represent threats against journalists’ work and safety. It argues that acts of intimidation directed against journalists represent an attack on democracy itself as they have the effect of limiting the freedom of expression. The aim of this study is to explore how journalists operate in such a conflict and under such uncertainty, as an implication of (political) pressure caused by the politics of Memoranda in Greece, Cyprus, and Spain. The comparative analysis focuses on possible changes in the processes of message construction and in the journalistic practices of the participants, exploring if, how, and to what extent these changes were imposed to journalists directly or indirectly.

The impact of the economic crisis on media corruption: A comparative study in South and North Europe

“…In this context, in crisis-ridden countries such as Cyprus, Greece and Spain, the new working environment that has emerged has ousted experienced and more highly-paid professionals, resulting in phenomena of insufficient advocacy of the professional relations code and even of the journalistic code of conduct, leading to the 'pauperisation' of younger trainee journalists. This lack of job security constitutes a source of corruption and self-censorship for journalists, causing an internal, self-fuelled crisis (Iordanidou et al, 2020).…”

The Dilemma of Protecting Democracy Since the 2008 Financial Crisis: The Case of Cyprus

“…This was reflected in the Act on Combating of Racism and Other Discrimination of 2011. 10 The provisions contained in this document allowed for a broad interpretation of actions aimed against a given ethnic group and for punishing people who would undermine, for example, the Greek Cypriot negotiating position or their interpretation of historical facts related to the Cyprus question. A similarly broad interpretation of the regulations to the potential detriment of Turkish Cypriots and Turks was introduced in the Act on the prevention and suppression of money laundering and terrorist financing law of 2007.…”

Stronger and Safer Together: Motivations for and Challenges of (Trans)National Collaboration in Investigative Reporting in Latin America

“…South Asian journalists (33%) are the most likely group to do investigative journalism, while East/Southeast Asian journalists (17%) are the least likely to do so (International Center for Journalists 2019). In addition to that, in other similar democracies, journalists also self-censor to be safe, preserve their jobs, and save their news organizations with the consequence of diminished public accountability of government and international organizations (Iordanidou et al 2020) and lack of freedom in the electoral process (Walulya and Nassanga 2020). Nevertheless, it is important to highlight that despite all these obstacles, investigative journalists in Latin America have persisted in their work, producing impactful reports as the award-wining projects mentioned above reflect.…”