Vociferous sycophants
We’ve been watching with interest the controversy triggered by Kathimerini’s reports on the budget overruns and deadline extensions in the construction of the Monastiraki-Aegaleo metro extension, and we’ve been trying to comprehend the haste and intensity of the reaction. The report on Sunday did not point a finger at any particular minister but it did criticize the poor handling and the extra cost that will have to be paid by the taxpayers. So why are some people making so much noise if they have not been blamed for anything and if they are not really to blame for anything? One of the founding principles of this newspaper is to serve the truth and make public criticism on the basis of grounded and sober arguments. Kathimerini’s aim is to describe events and employ evidence in an unbiased fashion. Most importantly, it seeks to inform the citizen and feed public debate and criticism. The process is a sine qua non of democracy. It seems, however, that this process does not please those politicians and public utility officials who are out to demolish the allegations when they were not even held accountable in the first place. They must realize that Kathimerini will stay the course of investigating and offering transparent criticism in public life, following its mission as an independent newspaper that does not depend on money from the state or outside partners. The patrons and clients should keep this in mind and not judge others by their own standards. Democracy entails conflict and contradiction. Public monitoring is constant. Kathimerini treads on the basis of these basic assumptions. Others are free to follow their own path of selective silence and loud demagoguery. This newspaper will stay vigilant and unbiased, a constant aggravation to the sycophants. Lies are always short-lived.
