Government interference cited as state TV chairman and deputy resign

Nerit, the new state broadcaster that the Greek government set up to replace what it said was its corrupt and wasteful predecessor ERT, has been plunged into another crisis following the resignations of its two top executives, which the main opposition claims is a result of the political interference at the station.

Nerit chairman and CEO Antonis Makrydimitris stepped down on Thursday, along with his deputy Rudolph Moronis, only four months after Nerit’s first chairman, George Prokopakis, was replaced two days after the station went on air.

In a message posted to Facebook some hours before his resignation, Moronis gave strong indications that Nerit’s independence was being compromised.

“If you declare that you want to create something independent, impartial and of good quality but you don’t mean it, don’t assign the job to someone who does,” he wrote.

Speaking to the TheToc.gr news site, Moronis added: “According to the prevalent opinion as I see it, it [Nerit] will neither be an independent nor quality broadcaster. And I have no reason to try in vain.”