Concern over IMF reaction to Greek news story

The IMF representative in Greece reacted to a news story published by an Athens daily "by summoning the journalist to his office", SEEMO said in a statement.

Izvor: SEEMO

Wednesday, 18.07.2012.

14:10

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ATHENS The IMF representative in Greece reacted to a news story published by an Athens daily "by summoning the journalist to his office", SEEMO said in a statement. The permanent IMF representative in Greece also "demanded to know how the journalist had obtained the IMF report used to write his article". Concern over IMF reaction to Greek news story When the reporter with the To Vima daily, Zois Tsolis, refused to reveal his sources, Bob Traa, the Head of the IMF in Greece, warned that the newspaper "would be denied information in the future and that the IMF would collaborate with other media". The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO), an affiliate of the international Press Institute (IPI), expresses concern at the reaction of the IMF representative – which appears to be a violation of press freedom. On June 24, Tsolis published an exclusive report, including figures, on how many civil servants were hired by some ministries in 2010 and 2012, despite contrary recommendations in the memorandum of understanding that Greece agreed with the the European Union, International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. Tsolis stated that 70,000 civil servants were hired. When Tsolis continued to refuse to provide the information, Traa, as quoted by Tsolis in an article published on July 1 said: “We will not speak again to To Vima. We thought that you are the official newspaper of Pasok. We have other newspapers that write our data precisely.” The IMF did not deny the report obtained by To Vima. “Multilateral organizations cannot threaten journalists by denying them access to information and demanding the revelation of their sources,” said Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General. “The Greek people have to know what is happening in their country, especially at a time of crisis. I hope this will remain an isolated incident and that the IMF representatives will fully respect freedom of expression. SEEMO

Concern over IMF reaction to Greek news story

When the reporter with the To Vima daily, Zois Tsolis, refused to reveal his sources, Bob Traa, the Head of the IMF in Greece, warned that the newspaper "would be denied information in the future and that the IMF would collaborate with other media". The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO), an affiliate of the international Press Institute (IPI), expresses concern at the reaction of the IMF representative – which appears to be a violation of press freedom.

On June 24, Tsolis published an exclusive report, including figures, on how many civil servants were hired by some ministries in 2010 and 2012, despite contrary recommendations in the memorandum of understanding that Greece agreed with the the European Union, International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. Tsolis stated that 70,000 civil servants were hired.

When Tsolis continued to refuse to provide the information, Traa, as quoted by Tsolis in an article published on July 1 said: “We will not speak again to To Vima. We thought that you are the official newspaper of Pasok. We have other newspapers that write our data precisely.” The IMF did not deny the report obtained by To Vima.

“Multilateral organizations cannot threaten journalists by denying them access to information and demanding the revelation of their sources,” said Oliver Vujović, SEEMO Secretary General. “The Greek people have to know what is happening in their country, especially at a time of crisis. I hope this will remain an isolated incident and that the IMF representatives will fully respect freedom of expression.

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