SAY NO TO ANTISEMITISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA IN THE GREEK MEDIA!

In June this year, the self-described “independent patriotic newspaper of all Greeks” Makeleio published an anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, nationalist and homophobic tirade against the current mayor of Thessaloniki Yiannis Boutaris. 

This article is a typical example of how antisemitism and Islamophobia produce myths, stereotypes and false or distorted news within society. Titled ‘Say No to Yiannis Boutaris!’, the anonymous article accuses the mayor of being “against [Greek] Orthodoxy,” a proponent of “Jews, mosques” and “a friend of George Soros and servant of his interests.” The article is just a long list of accusations and makes no attempt to justify these.

Symbyosis, the Get the Trolls Out! partner in Greece, have lodged a complaint with the newspaper calling for the article to be removed in July. They argued that this article violates core principles of the Journalists' Code of Conduct and Social Responsibility, especially the obligation of the journalist to "respect the personality, human dignity and personal life of every individual". To date, they have received no reply. This is typical of many Greek newspapers, who rarely respond to criticism or calls for clarification from individuals and NGOs.