Several Members of the European Parliament expressed ‘shock’ and ‘surprise’ today as news of Greek public broadcaster ERT’s closure reached European Institutions.

Strasbourg Plenary session discussions on the upcoming European Council meeting were held up as Greek MEP Nikolaos Chountis launched a plea against the closure of the public television and radio broadcaster and founding EBU Member.

Socialist Group leader MEP Hannes Swoboda followed: “I’m shocked that a public radio and television station has been closed down overnight in Greece and this is the Troika that is being blamed in the public sphere,” he said. "I would wish to express my solidarity with those who are on the streets in Greece today.”

Greens Group Co-president Rebecca Harms also took the floor to denounce the developments. “The Greek government’s decision to send police to shut down Greece's public broadcaster raises fresh fears about the irresponsible crisis response,” she said.

Fellow Greens Co-President Daniel Cohn-Bendit joined voices in a written statement: “The disturbing and heavy-handed closure of Greece's public broadcaster (ERT) raises major democratic concerns. Public broadcasting plays a fundamental part of a healthy media system and is essential to media freedom, which is a core European value.”

Greek MEP Nikos Chrysogelos added: "The government's enforced blackout of the public broadcaster ERT brings back memories from a darker period in Greek history. It should be inconceivable that a democratic state could shut down a public broadcaster, depriving 2,600 employees of work, with no prior dialogue. The result will deprive Greek citizens around the world of important media services.”

In a separate statement, French Socialist MEP Françoise Castex underlined the key role of public service media in times of economic and financial crisis. “In times when Greece is under extreme economic pressure by international investors, it is fundamental that public media can offer independent information to citizens.” She added: “We have to stop making scapegoats out of public services and their employees. They play a key role in ensuring social cohesion and buffer the most devastating effects of the current crisis on European citizens.”

In a written statement, the European Commission dismissed claims that it had asked for the closure of ERT as part of austerity measures: “The Commission has not sought the closure of ERT, but nor does the Commission question the Greek Government’s mandate to manage the public sector.” The Commission also welcomed “the commitment of the Greek government to launch a media actor that fulfils the important role of public broadcasting and is financially sustainable.”

The Commission underlined that it “supports the role of public broadcasting as an integral part of European democracy,” while adding that “the Treaty makes it clear that the governance and strategic choices on public service broadcasting lie with Member States.”

During a press conference that followed, Commission spokesperson Olivier Bailly again referred to the Treaty provisions, when asked to comment on the letter of condemnation sent by EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot the Greek Prime Minister. Copies of the letter were forwarded to Commission President Barroso and Commission Vice-president Neelie Kroes.

Olivier Bailly further insisted that there is no ‘direct link” between EU austerity measures and the decision of the Greek government, and denied ever discussing the specific case of closing ERT in talks on restructuring Greek public services.

Despite the Commission expressing ‘sympathy and support’ for ERT staff and saying that “the European Commission is never satisfied when a media organization closes in Europe,” the fact that it has not openly condemned the Greek government for its decision has surprised a number of observers.