The Greek Documentary Association has repeated its call to the international doc community to sign a petition over the restriction of cultural content on Greek Public Television, and in particular over the transformation of ERT2 into a channel of exclusively sports-oriented programming.
On March 3, the Greek Documentary Association publicly criticised ERT’s decision to convert ERT 2 – a channel long associated with documentaries and cultural programming – into one aimed at boosting ratings with sports programming. The channel is now rebranded as ERT 2 Sport.
While the move has been welcomed by many sports fans, it has upset a large portion of ERT 2’s existing audience. What’s more, Greek producers view the decision as a troubling sign for the future of domestic documentary filmmaking, as it leaves limited space for locally-produced content on state television. ERT 1 is primarily entertainment-focused, while ERT 3 leans toward regional programming and foreign-produced documentaries.
The Greek industry is turning to friends, colleagues and counterparts across the globe to add weight to its demands for fair representation on Greek Public Television.
“We invite you, as members of the global documentary community, to stand with the Greek Documentary Association in defending a fundamental principle: that culture, documentary storytelling, and the free expression of creative voices must remain at the heart of public broadcasting,” the organisation writes in a statement.
“At a time when Greek Public Television is shifting away from its cultural mission restricting the presence of documentaries and artistic programming, we believe it is more urgent than ever to reaffirm that public media is a shared cultural space, essential for preserving collective memory, diversity, and critical reflection. A society without documentary is a society without its own archive. The Greek Documentary Association calls on you to join this initiative, lend your voice, and sign in support of the right to create and broadcast cultural content and documentaries on Greek Public Television, ensuring that culture is not treated as expendable, but upheld as a vital public good for present and future generations.”
The statement, titled PUBLIC TELEVISION – CULTURE, ABSENT, reads in full:
“The Hellenic Documentary Association expresses its deep concern over the restriction of cultural content on Public Television, and in particular over the transformation of ERT2 into a channel of exclusively sports-oriented programming.
“Public Television is not simply another television broadcaster. It is an institution with a clear mission: to serve society as a whole, to safeguard pluralism, to document collective memory, and to provide a platform for Culture, Greek creative work, and public discourse.
The absence of Greek documentaries and cultural programs limits society’s ability to see, hear, and reflect upon itself through art, history, thought, and contemporary creation, thereby effectively altering the essential character of Public Television.
“Across all European public broadcasters, documentaries constitute a significant percentage of annual production. With the decision to convert ERT2 into a channel exclusively dedicated to sports content, Greek Culture is being exiled from Public Television. Culture is not measured by audience ratings.
“Culture is a public good and an integral component of the function of Public Television. It is neither a supplement nor alternative low-priority content. Its reduction creates an institutional void that cannot be filled by any other type of programming.
“’A country without documentary cinema is like a family without a photo album,’ says the renowned documentary filmmaker Patricio Guzmán. Without records of contemporary reality and history, a society is deprived of its own archive and, ultimately, of its collective memory.
“ERT’s archive, the richest Greek audiovisual heritage, consists primarily of Greek documentaries. It is the result of the labor of Greek filmmakers who documented cultural creators and their achievements, major historical events, as well as everyday life – people’s relationship with nature, their dreams, and their fears. The current absence of Greek documentaries interrupts the continuity of this Archive, with consequences that will affect future generations.
“We will not remain passive spectators to the degradation of Public Television!
“Culture may be absent, but creators are present, clearly expressing their substantive opposition to this negative development.
“We call on the management of ERT and relevant institutional bodies to reconsider the role and mission of Public Television, ensuring a meaningful and stable space for Greek Culture in all its forms.
“We demand:
- The production of Greek creative documentary series and cultural programming.
- The establishment of documentary programming slots across all ERT channels, with quotas comparable to those of European public broadcasters.
- Support for emerging creators through tailored support mechanisms.
- The conversion of the channel ERT2 Sport into ERT2 Culture.
“The initiative “Culture, Absent” addresses all citizens who seek a contemporary, pluralistic public television that reflects today’s reality and fulfills its constitutional role.
“We invite you to support the initiative by signing this petition.”
