Greek opposition leader Alexis Tsipras earlier urged President Carolos Papoulias to cancel an executive order closing public broadcaster, ERT. Mr Tsipras described the closure as “illegal”, adding: “Many times the word ‘coup’ is used as an exaggeration. In this case, it is not an exaggeration.”  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22871734
Protest rallies are being held in support of the broadcaster’s staff, with thousands rallying outside ERT’s headquarters in the capital Athens, and unions have called a general strike.
Journalists’ unions have called a 24-hour strike across Greece’s broadcasters – except for those ERT stations airing rogue broadcasts maintained by workers who have refused to leave their posts.
“We are not closing down public radio and television. In fact, it is only now that we are going to get proper public radio and television.” Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, said.
Greek political parties and unions have urged the government to reverse its surprise decision to shut down state broadcaster ERT. Most of the broadcaster’s output has been taken off-air, although shortwave radio and internet broadcasts continue.