21 July 2010

Political blogger and radio journalist slain


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A Greek radio journalist and blogger who was about to publish results of an investigation into corruption in the country was lured out of his home in Athens and shot dead on 19 July, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). This is the first murder of a journalist in Greece in more than 20 years.

Sokratis Giolias, 37, stepped out of his apartment after three men dressed in security uniforms told him his car was being stolen. He was then riddled with bullets.

Giolias was the director of the private radio station Thema 98.9, and contributor to the popular online news blog Troktiko, which often covers social and political scandals.

"Somebody wanted to silence a very good investigative reporter who had stepped on a lot of toes with his stories," said Panos Sobolos, president of the Athens journalists' union, report IPI and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO).

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Investigative reporter gunned down in Athens 20 July 2010

Also from the Communiqué, 21 July 2010

CHINA: Government ramps up Internet control and leans on Hong Kong to erase dissent 21 July 2010 SINGAPORE: British author arrested for book on death penalty; film on political prisoners banned 21 July 2010 THAILAND: Battle against free expression moves from the streets to the Internet and radio stations 21 July 2010 SERBIA: New law violates security of journalists' sources; B92 reporter receives death threats 21 July 2010 PALESTINE: Newspapers trapped in political quagmire; sound bombs hurled at journalists 21 July 2010 CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Three journalists arrested for leaking report on corruption 21 July 2010

Greece

Greek criminal case against German journalists sparks concern 17 November 2011 IPI condemns detention of two journalists in Florina 23 August 2011 IPI condemns attack on SKAI TV in Piraeus 29 July 2011 Organisation claims responsibility for murder of journalist, threatens media 27 August 2010 Investigative reporter gunned down in Athens 20 July 2010 See all alerts: Greece


Balkans

CROATIA: IPI calls for professionalisation of public broadcaster 20 January 2012 KOSOVO (SERBIA): Police allegedly assault reporter 16 January 2012 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: IPI calls on politician to respect and support public broadcasters 21 December 2011 SERBIA: ANEM concerned about proposed Cinematography Act 16 December 2011 CROATIA: IPI condemns new death threats against journalist 14 December 2011


 
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