Greece Signs Historic Pact to Improve Safety of War Reporters

by · Greek City Times

Greece has launched a national initiative to improve the safety of journalists covering armed conflicts and high-risk assignments, with the signing of a cooperation memorandum involving the Ministry of National Defence, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA), the General Secretariat for Information and Communication (GSIC), journalists’ unions and the Hellenic Red Cross.

The agreement establishes a structured programme of specialist training, practical preparation, assessment and certification for journalists assigned to conflict zones. Its central objective is to ensure that no journalist undertakes such an assignment without appropriate prior training.

The memorandum was signed by Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis, Secretary-General for Information and Communication Dimitris Kirmikir oglou, Athens Journalists’ Union (ESIEA) President Maria Antoniadou, ESIEA Secretary-General Stavros Kapakos, Hellenic Red Cross President Antonios Avgerinos, Union of Journalists of Periodical and Electronic Press (ESPIT) President Themistoklis Beredimas, ESPIT Secretary-General Athanasios Alatas, Educational Foundation of ESIEA Vice-President Giorgos Lianis and Foundation Secretary-General Aikaterini Lymperopoulou.

Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis attended the signing ceremony.

Read more: Greece Announces New Space Command with Satellites Linked to Soldiers

The initiative also draws on the scientific expertise of the International Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (ICSJ), through its cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Specialist training for journalists

The training programme will cover risk identification and assessment, safe movement in dangerous environments, crisis management, first aid and injury treatment. It will also include practical simulation exercises designed to prepare journalists for high-risk situations.

The first training cycle will involve 25 journalists from public media organisations. Participants will undertake a four-day training programme at Hellenic Armed Forces facilities, supported by specialist military personnel and instructors.

The initiative implements provisions of the collective labour agreement for journalists employed in the public sector, signed in August. It also forms part of the government’s broader National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists.

The cooperation brings together government authorities, the Armed Forces, journalists’ associations, the Hellenic Red Cross and the academic community, combining operational experience, specialist medical training and knowledge of journalists’ professional requirements.

Organisers say the involvement of the International Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists at Aristotle University will help incorporate international best practices and develop modern training standards.

Training to extend to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies

Authorities are also planning a separate advanced training programme for journalists and television crews covering natural disasters, including wildfires, floods and earthquakes, as well as humanitarian crises.

That programme will focus on identifying hazards, following safe-access and evacuation protocols, and coordinating with the relevant Civil Protection authorities.

The initiative aims to move journalist protection beyond institutional commitments towards systematic practical preparation, with the protection of human life and the safe exercise of journalism as its central priorities.

Dendias: Certified training is an ethical obligation

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias described certified training for journalists working in high-risk environments as an ethical obligation and responsibility, rather than simply a requirement under the public-sector collective labour agreement.

In a statement marking the memorandum’s signing, Dendias invoked the well-known words of Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos: “National is whatever is true.”

“Serving the truth is a national duty. And in war zones, fulfilling that duty becomes more difficult,” he said.

From Ukraine to the Middle East, war correspondents report what they personally see and hear, beyond the official announcements of the parties involved, Dendias noted.

He highlighted the work of Greek journalists, photojournalists and camera operators who have covered conflicts under extremely difficult conditions.

Their contribution, he said, reminds society that every report involves people exposed to numerous dangers. He specifically recalled the death of journalist Giorgos Koiliaris, who died in 2008 while covering an humanitarian aid mission in Afghanistan for Greece’s public broadcaster ERT.

The Defence Ministry will contribute by providing suitable facilities and equipment, as well as the expertise and experience of specialist Armed Forces personnel.

Dendias said the objective was to provide journalists with the best possible protection while fully respecting their professional independence.

He described the signing of the memorandum by General Choupis as an important step towards achieving that goal.

Marinakis: Initiative represents a minimum duty towards journalists

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the memorandum and the wider measures to improve journalists’ safety represented a minimum duty towards journalists and media workers.

“We are here today for those who, when they say goodbye to their families, when they kiss their wives, husbands, children and loved ones, cannot be certain they will return,” Marinakis said.

He highlighted the dangers journalists face when undertaking assignments in conflict zones, noting that the world now faces a new reality marked by wars and serious consequences for civilians.

“What is happening today is, above all, a minimum step of respect and care, and an act of responsibility,” he said.

Marinakis added that the government, under the Prime Minister’s guidance, was working to address journalists’ legitimate demands.

He stressed that no journalist working for public media would travel to a war zone without receiving essential preparation and information about the conditions and dangers they might encounter.

Journalists carry out their professional duties under some of the most difficult circumstances, he said, and the state must provide them with the greatest possible protection.

Kirmikir oglou: Greece aims to become an international example

Secretary-General for Information and Communication Dimitris Kirmikir oglou said no journalist should risk their life for a report without appropriate preparation and protection.

He described Greece’s initiative as pioneering by international standards, bringing together government authorities, journalists’ associations, the Armed Forces and specialist organisations to strengthen the safety of journalists covering armed conflicts.

Through this cooperation and implementation of the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists, Greece aims to become an international example in journalist training, risk prevention and protection, he said.

(Source: AMNA)

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on WhatsApp, Google News and Apple News.

Related coverage

Advertising