A necessary decision
The government’s decision to close down and subsequently restructure Greek public broadcasting corporation ERT is on the right track.
The decision marks the first time a government has plucked the necessary political courage to close down a public institution, a state company whose operating costs had reached unjustifiably high levels, becoming an increasingly heavy burden on Greek taxpayers.
The broadcasting corporation began losing its credibility a long time ago by pandering to party officials handing out favors and by adopting wasteful practices, as well as through the behavior of the unionists representing its workers.
What is important right now is for a new ERT to emerge in the very near future.
This ought to be an institution that will accomplish its role as a serious state radio and television network, and a corporation staffed by people who will be hired based on merit, as opposed to partisan interests.
